The Forest of Vazon A Guernsey Legend of the Eighth Century
    .—REVELATION

     CHAPTER V

    .—AFFLICTION

     CHAPTER VI

    .—CONSOLATION

     CHAPTER VII

    .—ANNIHILATION

     OLD HOUSE OF THE HAYE DU PUITS, GUERNSEY

     ROCQUE DU GUET AND COBO BAY

     ROCQUAINE BAY WITH L'ERÉE AND LIHOU

     VALE CASTLE

     GUERNSEY, EASTERN SIDE, WITH ISLANDS OF HERM, JETHOU, AND SARK

   In the beginning of the eighth century Guernsey was a favoured spot. Around, over the Continent and the British Isles, had swept successive conquests with their grim train of sufferings for the conquered; but these storm-clouds had not burst over the island. The shocks which preceded the fall of the Roman Empire had not been felt, nor had the throes which inaugurated the birth of Frankish rule in Gaul and Saxon supremacy in Britain, disturbed the prevailing tranquillity. Occasional descents of pirates, Northmen from Scandinavian homes or Southmen from the Iberian peninsula, had hitherto had a beneficial effect by keeping alive the martial spirit and the vigilance necessary for self-defence. In the third century three Roman ships had been driven on shore and lost; the legionaries who escaped had established themselves in the island, having indeed for the moment no alternative. When their commander succeeded in communicating with Gaul he suggested a permanent occupation, being secretly influenced by tales of mineral wealth to which he had lent an ear. Disillusioned and recalled, he was followed by a sybarite, whose palate was tickled by banquets of fish of which he wrote in raptures to his friends at 
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