L'Etac de Sark
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 L'Etac from Sark | |
 Interactive map of L'Etac de Sark | |
| Other names | L'Etac |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | English Channel |
| Coordinates | 49°24′05″N 2°22′03″W / 49.40139°N 2.36750°W |
| Archipelago | Channel Islands |
| Adjacent to | Sark |
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Highest elevation | 69 m (226 ft) |
| Administration | |
L'Etac de Sark (/leɪˈtæk/ lay-TAHK) is a small uninhabited island that is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It is immediately southeast of Sark[1] and covers approximately 3 acres (1.2 ha).
The name L'Etac (or L'Étacq) derives from the Old Norse word stakkr, meaning a steep-sided rock or pile. Local Norman dialect adapted this to estac and subsequent French phonetic changes lead to the modern spelling. The name served as a topographical marker and was not uncommon: The village of L'Étacq in Jersey is of the same name.[2][3]
History
Since 6 August 1565 L'Etac has been part of the Fief of Sark.[4] Under the original charter granted by Elizabeth I the Seigneur of Sark was granted the island and "all adjacent islets and rocks".[5]
Geography
L'Etac rises sheer to a height of 69 metres (226 ft).[1][6] It is 150–200 metres (500–650 ft) off the southern tip of Little Sark.[citation needed] The island is 1.5 km (0.9 miles) south of the La Coupée isthmus that connects Great Sark and Little Sark.[7]