ALDERNEY-ISLAND, (Channel Islands) on the coast of Normandy, which, in the Tower-records is AURNY, and gives title of
baron to the D. of Cumberland, was by Q. Eliz. annexed to the see of Winchester. 'Tis hardly 2 leagues from Cape la Hogue,
but about 30 from the nearest part of England, and 8 m. in compass. The air is healthy, and the soil pretty rich, their
manure being sea- weed called Vraic; but by means of a custom they have among them of parting their lands into small
parcels by gavel-kind, the people are poor. On the S. side of it is a harbour call'd Crabb's, which admits only small
vessels. The T. called Alderney, in the middle of the island, consists at least of 200 homes, and 1000 inhabitants. On the
E. side of it there is an ancient fort, and a dwelling-house belonging to it, built at the charge of the Chamberlains, to
one of whose ancestors Q. Eliz. granted the fee-farm rents of this island, because he recovered it from the French. The
straight bet. this island and France, term'd the Race of Alderney, is very dangerous in stormy weather, by reason of a
ledge of rocks that runs from hence to the W. called the Caskets; which having several eddies, are much dreaded by
mariners. The sons of K. Hen. I. were cast away and drowned here passing to Normandy; and 'tis fresh in memory, how fatal
this straight prov'd to the Victory man of war, commanded by admiral Balchen.