Guernsey started at the edge of a peninsula that stuck out from the rising levels of the sea in the English Channel and in about 6000 BC was cut off from the main continent to form an island. The coasts were settled by Neolithic farmers who built the domens and mehirs that are throughout the island. Archeologist are fascinated by the islands three sculpted menhirs. The Kingdom of Gwent eventually took over the island and brought it Christianity.

The islands were annexed by the Duchy of Normandy in 933 with the island being one of the last of the Duchy's medieval rule. The islands were constantly attacked by pirates from France as well as there naval force during the Middle Ages. It was at its worst during the Hundred Years War with the French actually taking over the island several times starting 1339. Aragonese mercenaries took over the island in 1372 while lead by Owain Lawgoch who was hired by the King of France. He and his men invaded the island by war of fairies and the stories of their invasion are local legends.

Guernsey sided with the Parliament during the English Civil War but Jersey stayed Royalist. Guernsey chose its side because of the large amount Calvinists and Reformed churches in the area. Also they were angered when Charles I refused to step in and help many Guernsey fishermen who had been imprisoned by Barbary corsairs. There were, however many Royalist revolts at the southwestern portion of the island during which time the Castle Cornet, which was constructed as protection for the island, was taken over by the Royalist troops with their leader Sir Peter Osbourne. In 1651 its was the last Royalist dwelling to be taken over.

The French and Spanish wars that occurred between the 17th and 18th centuries allowed those that owned ships ins Guernsey and the captains of the ships to exploit their access to the mainland and gouged the prices of their freight to those on the island. Although in the 19th century the island gained great wealth through its success int eh maritime trade and stone industry. William Le Lacheur, who was from Guernsey, started the Costa Rican Coffee trade with Europe.

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