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.
Back On The Rock 
Great story! And just look at that beach in the background! What a beautiful place you live in!
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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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Yes, very! Lucky you!
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That is quite the story. Certainly would make one wary of their footing on that rock. 😉
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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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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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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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Roy, I’m not surprised he wanted another swim in those waters.
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It was certainly a perfect afternoon for it Jean.
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Oh dear, that’s just asking for trouble isn’t it 🙂
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Hi Andrea, either very brave or else he wasn’t the sharpest pencil in the case 🙂
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Wow, what a story, Roy. I agree with Ali, such a beautiful place. The water looks like the Caribbean.
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Hi Jill – Jersey’s beaches are beautiful – and mostly empty these days. The hordes have flown further south 😦
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Empty…ahh! That sounds wonderful, Roy.
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Unless you’re trying to sell ice-creams or deckchairs 🙂
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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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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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Oh. I’m on my own then 😆
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Well…yes, I guess you are Jenny, but you’d be a whiz on a Rorschach test 🙂
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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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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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what a tale!! beautiful image!
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Thanks Cybele, it is truly remarkable.
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It might have been his cockiness that did him in the second time.
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Haha. Who knows what the real story was Janna – that was the one that has survived over the years.
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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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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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Oh Roy he should have quit while he was winning. Stunning view though, even with the sad story.
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hi Kath, it’s a good story all right though history is only as accurate as those that record it.
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What a wonderful gory tale, Roy. Adds spice to a lovely photo.
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Thanks Kerry – maybe a stormy day would have made a better backdrop to the story!
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That is some story, Roy! He should have stopped while he was a head.
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Hello Naomi! Yes indeed Jeffrey was the forebear of our present-day rock jumpers that give their mothers heart attacks.
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