Some years ago Geoffroi, a Jersey criminal, was sentenced to be thrown off this rock to his death. At the appointed time, and in front of a large crowd the sentence was duly carried out. But to everyone’s astonishment Geoffroi survived and swam back to shore.
There ensued a great debate among those present. Some said that he should be set free, others that the sentence had not been properly carried out. Geoffroi declared that he would prove his innocence beyond doubt by repeating the feat.
He did so, but with less success, dashing his head off a rock and being killed. The place is named after him to this day.
This afternoon the scene was somewhat more tranquil.
Ali Isaac said:
Great story! And just look at that beach in the background! What a beautiful place you live in!
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Ali – it’s a story with a grain of truth in it perhaps. That’s Anne Port Bay in the background – very picturesque.
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Ali Isaac said:
Yes, very! Lucky you!
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Carrie Rubin said:
That is quite the story. Certainly would make one wary of their footing on that rock. 😉
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Carrie, indeed I didn’t think to test the theory by clambering up there. I suppose the odd daredevil does though.
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diannegray said:
Oh my goodness! Poor Geoffroi, he should have just up and run (or swam) off when he had the chance. What a way to go!
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hello Dianne! Another version of the story is that he sought to repeat the feat to impress a young lady. Which only goes to prove how silly love can make some men.
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socialbridge said:
Roy, I’m not surprised he wanted another swim in those waters.
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Roy McCarthy said:
It was certainly a perfect afternoon for it Jean.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
Oh dear, that’s just asking for trouble isn’t it 🙂
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Andrea, either very brave or else he wasn’t the sharpest pencil in the case 🙂
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Wow, what a story, Roy. I agree with Ali, such a beautiful place. The water looks like the Caribbean.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Jill – Jersey’s beaches are beautiful – and mostly empty these days. The hordes have flown further south 😦
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Empty…ahh! That sounds wonderful, Roy.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Unless you’re trying to sell ice-creams or deckchairs 🙂
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jennypellett said:
Is it me, or can anyone else see the reclining shape of a man in that rock? He’s looking back towards that beautiful beach – I can even discern his eyebrows in relief. I bet it’s old Jeffery!
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hmm, a bit of a stretch Jenny 🙂 A bit like towns in Ireland claiming that their Mary statues are moving and then they cash in when the pilgrims arrive!
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jennypellett said:
Oh. I’m on my own then 😆
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Roy McCarthy said:
Well…yes, I guess you are Jenny, but you’d be a whiz on a Rorschach test 🙂
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Britt Skrabanek said:
Ouch! At first I was like…he showed them. Guess that rock showed him the second time around.
This is why I’ve never been into cliff-jumping of any sort. Not the smartest idea when people do it for fun. I’d rather have a beer on dry land with a view of the water. 🙂
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Roy McCarthy said:
I’m with you Britt, though I’ve always wondered about the mentality of the people that used to gather to watch executions. I sometimes wonder how far we’ve advanced beyond that mindset, and if we could ever regress into it.
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the dune mouse said:
what a tale!! beautiful image!
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Cybele, it is truly remarkable.
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Janna G. Noelle said:
It might have been his cockiness that did him in the second time.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Haha. Who knows what the real story was Janna – that was the one that has survived over the years.
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Letizia said:
Goodness, what a story! It’s such a beautiful place, it’s hard to think of it as a site of execution.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Letizia, yes our old gallows hill gives a great view as well, which may not have been much comfort to those led up there. Anne Port Bay was beautifully quiet even in Jersey’s heyday, perhaps because of the lack of parking around there.
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Minuscule Moments said:
Oh Roy he should have quit while he was winning. Stunning view though, even with the sad story.
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Roy McCarthy said:
hi Kath, it’s a good story all right though history is only as accurate as those that record it.
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chattykerry said:
What a wonderful gory tale, Roy. Adds spice to a lovely photo.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Kerry – maybe a stormy day would have made a better backdrop to the story!
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Naomi Baltuck said:
That is some story, Roy! He should have stopped while he was a head.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hello Naomi! Yes indeed Jeffrey was the forebear of our present-day rock jumpers that give their mothers heart attacks.
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