The States Chamber

The States Chamber opened on 21 June 1887, the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne.

Until the late 19th Century, the States Assembly shared facilities with the Royal Court, which had been housed on the site of the Royal Square since the 12th Century.

In 1867, a proposition was first lodged to establish a room for meetings of the States Assembly to take place above the strong-rooms being constructed to the east of the Royal Court House. It was only in 1885, however, that the States Assembly adopted a plan prepared by the Architects Messrs Ancell and Orange.

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The first meeting of the Assembly in the Chamber was presided over by the Lieutenant-Bailiff, Jurat John Picot, in the absence of the Bailiff, Sir George Bertram, due to illness.

The wording of a telegram of congratulations to Queen Victoria on her Golden Jubilee was noted, after which the Assembly voted a Loyal Address to Her Majesty.

After the Assembly adjourned, a thanksgiving service was held at the Town Church. The day was declared a public holiday and there were numerous festivities arranged for the public.

More information on how the Chamber came to be built can be found in an online exhibition created for the 130th anniversary of its opening.

Few changes have been made to the Chamber since it was first used. In 1919, a granite tablet was installed in the Public Gallery in memory of Sir Walter Raleigh, Governor of Jersey from 1600 to 1603. It was later removed to create a sound-proofed booth for radio recordings and the granite was split in two to create a second tablet commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation.

The Banner of Arms of the Sovereign was placed above the Bailiff’s seat to commemorate the visit in 1921 of Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary .

In 1927, the Chamber was first lit with electricity. In more recent years, a sound recording system has been installed to allow Meetings to be recorded and broadcasted. In 2004, the electronic voting system was introduced.

Podcast about the States Chamber

To learn more about the historical stories and background to the States Chamber, its design and how it has it changed over the years, tune into this fascinating edition of the States Assembly podcast.

Some of this episode is recorded on location in the States Chamber, where we talk about the experience of sitting in the Public Gallery; take a look at the view from the Bailiff's chair; and test the microphones and voting buttons as used by States Members during meetings.

The Royal Mace

The Royal Mace is a symbol of Jersey's ancient links with the Crown. It is made up of 11 pieces of silver gilt and weighs 14 lb, 13 oz.

During the English Civil War, Jersey remained a centre of Royalist resistance. The future king Charles II sought refuge in the Island at Elizabeth Castle when the cause of his father, King Charles I, was lost.

In 1649, Charles I was beheaded and England became a republic. The English Parliament passed a statute making it unlawful for Charles II to become King. Jersey, however, proclaimed him as King on 17 February 1649 in the Royal Square. It was only after the republic collapsed under Richard Cromwell in 1659 that the restoration of the monarchy was possible; and Charles assumed the throne in 1660. He was crowned King of England and Ireland on 23 April 1661.

The Royal Mace was gifted by King Charles II to Jersey on 28 November 1663 in gratitude for the Island’s loyalty and hospitality during his years in exile.

Engraved on the foot of the Mace is a Latin inscription, which translates: “Not all doth he deem worthy of such a reward. Charles II, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, as a proof of his royal affection towards the Isle of Jersey (in which he has been twice received in safety when he was excluded from the remainder of his dominions), has willed that this Royal Mace should be consecrated to posterity and has ordered that hereafter it shall be carried before the Bailiffs, in perpetual remembrance of their fidelity not only to his august father Charles I but to His Majesty during the fury of the civil wars, when the Island was maintained by the illustrious Philip and George de Carteret, Knights, Bailiffs and Governors of the said Island.”

Today, the Mace is carried before the Bailiff at the sittings of the Royal Court and in States Meetings. In both the court and the States Chamber the Mace is placed upright in a socket in front of the Bailiff’s desk.

Visit the States Chamber

From March - October each year, public tours of the States Chamber are available to book, typically on the last Saturday of the month. Tickets can be booked via the States Assembly Eventbrite page.

We also offer dedicated tours to schools, community groups, charities and businesses. To arrange a tour please email statesgreffe@gov.je.

Outside of those times, our virtual tour is a great way to see inside the States Chamber.

The States Chamber