The Corn Riots of 1769 and the Code of 1771

In 1767, protests had led to Laws being passed against the export of wheat from the Island. However, in 1769 Lemprière removed this Law and wheat was shipped to France to sell it at a high price. 

A number of protests took place over the summer of 1769, culminating in the Corn Riots on 28 September. About 500 Islanders stormed the Royal Court in protest against the price of wheat and with a number of political demands which they had recorded in the minutes of the Court's proceedings - although the minutes were later crossed out.  

Despite the protests, Lemprière was able to resume power and offered a £100 reward for capturing the leaders of the ‘revolt’; several key figures were arrested over the next year. Colonel Bentinck was sent to the Island by the UK authorities to bring peace after the Corn Riots and to start an investigation into what had occurred. When the reason for widespread public discontent became clear, the individuals involved received the King’s Pardon.  

In 1770, Bentinck became Lieutenant-Governor. Following his initiative, the Island's rules and regulations were brought together for publication for the first time. This major legislative reform would later become known as the Code of 1771, marking a significant point in the development of democracy in Jersey.  Within the Code, the power of the Royal Court was limited so that “no political ordinances should be passed except by the whole Assembly of the States”. This meant that the Royal Court was stripped of its legislative power and the States Assembly became Jersey’s only law-making body.