Boys Historical Clothing Essays: National Descriptions--Jersey Shorts and Pullovers


Figure 1.--.

Our information on Jersey clothing is limited at this time. Jersey shorts are knitted wool shorts. Jersey shorts and pullovers are knitted garments are made from wool. The names is derived from Jersey, one of the British Channel Islands off the French coast. I'm not sure what makes Jersey shorts and pullovers destinctive from other knitted shorts and sweaters. Jersey sweaters are well known. I'm not sure how common the term Jersey shorts was. We note it in a German mail order catalog during the 1970s. A French reader writes, "Jersey becam popular in the 1970s. Synthetic materials had a lot of advantahes. They were easy to wash, flexible, solid, and inexpensive. There were, however, disavantage such as the possibility of allergic reactions and thus there were health problems. Garments made out of natural fibers (cotton and wool) thus had advantages. We bought many knitted Jersey wool articles for our daughter." Another reader writes, "Jersey shorts are short trousers made of Jersey a special wool or syunthetic fibre product named after the Jersey. It is also used for skirts and trikots." We had thought that Jersey products were natural cotton and wool. Here we need some additional information. Also we are unsure about the derivaton of the term jersey which have several different meanings.

Channel Islands

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. Jersey and the other Channel Islands have a fascinating history. While located only a few miles from the French coast, the islands have been British for centuries. The island would have come under Roman control during Ceasar's conquest of Gaul and attempts to invade Britain (1st century BC). Christianity was introduced during Roman times. Jersey’s hermit and martyr, St. Helier is credited with the christinaztion of the island (6th century AD). He appears to have been murdered by Saxon pirates. Vikings known as Norse marauders rotinely plunder the islands in the summer months century Norman pirates would plunder the island during the summer months (9th century AD). French King Charles the Simple, unable to defeat the Vikings, bargained with Rollo, their chief. Rollo was granted their land around Rouen hich acquired the name of later known as Normandy. Rollo’s son William upon becoming Duke of Normandy, incorporated the Channel Islands into the duchy. Jersey’s laws and customs thus date to the era Norman rule (933-1204 AD). Duke William inaded England and defeated the Saxona and King Harold at Hastings (1066) and is better known to history as William the Conquer. (In fact both Harold and William were Vikings.) Jersey and the other Channel Islands are today the represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy. From the cornaion of William as king of England, Jersey has been associated with the English Crown. King John waged war with France, but lost (1204). At this time, the Channel Islands were given a choice to swear allegiance to England or France and they chose England. Almost the entire second millenium saw war between France and England and Jersey's location in the Channel put it squarely between the two waring nations. Fortifications to protect against a French invsion were built all over the island. King John ordered the construction of Mont Orgueil Castle to protect the eastern approaches to the island. The Tudors built Elizabeth Castle to defend the own of St. Helier (16th century). Martello towers located all along the coast were built to protect the island from French attack (late 18th century). They were impoerant to protect the island during the French Revolution and Napolonic Wars. The French staged several attacks on Jersy, but only managed to establish control for brief periods. There is even a connection with America. The state of New Jersey is named after Jersey. This dates back to the English Civil War. Charles II found refuge on Jersey, both as Prince of Wales and after the execution of his father, the exiled king. After the restoration, Charles made land grants in America to Sir George Carteret which were named New Jersey. The Channel Islnds during World War II became the only British territory occupied by the NAZIs. The NAZIs seized the islands immeditaely after the fall of France (1940). After Dunkirk, Churchill realized that the Channel Islands could not be defended. There were fears at the time that Britiai itself culd nt hold out. Churchill declared the islands demilitarised. Jersey islanders had to evacuate to England leaving their homes and family or remain and face the NAZIs. About 10,000 did evacuate and 40,000 stayed. When the fortunes of war changed, Hitler unlike Churchill decided against all miltary logic to defend the Channel Islands. Hitler ordered the construction of elaborate fortifications on both Jersey and Guernsey. These military instalations were constructed by slave labor imported by the NAZIs. These workers labored under appalling conditions. With these fgortifications, the German held out even after the liberation of France (1944). The Germans finally surrendered (1945).

Economy

The Jersey economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, fishing, and knitwear. England in the Medieval era was a wool-producing nation. England shipped raw wool to the Low Countries where it was weaved into high-quality cloth. I am not sure at this time how Jersey fitted into the Medieval textile economy. The Jersey economy has changed since World War II and tourism and international finance is now the center of the economy.

Jersey Clothing

Our information on Jersey clothing is limited at this time.

Jersey shorts

Jersey shorts are knitted wool shorts. Jersey shorts and pullovers are knitted garments are made from wool. The names is derived from Jersey, one of the British Channel Islands off the French coast. I'm not sure what makes Jersey shorts and pullovers destinctive from other knitted shorts and sweaters. We note it in a German mail order catalog during the 1970s.

Jersey sweaters and pullovers

Jersey sweaters are well known.

Other garments


Material

I'm not sure how common the term Jersey shorts was. A French reader writes, "Jersey becam popular in the 1970s. Synthetic materials had a lot of advantahes. They were easy to wash, flexible, solid, and inexpensive. There were, however, disavantage such as the possibility of allergic reactions and thus there were health problems. Garments made out of natural fibers (cotton and wool) thus had advantages. We bought many knitted Jersey wool articles for our daughter." Another reader writes, "Jersey shorts are short trousers made of Jersey a special wool or syunthetic fibre product named after the Jersey. It is also used for skirts and trikots." We had thought that Jersey products were natural cotton and wool. Here we need some additional information.

Jersey Garment

Also we are unsure about the derivaton of the term jersey which have several different meanings. Webster's defines a jersey as a close-fitting knitted sweater or shirt." The most common usage in America is "sports jersey" meaning the shirt worn by a sport team. I'm not sure how that term evolved.






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Created: December 14, 2003
Last updated: December 14, 2003