Page "Herm" Paragraph 4

The first records of Herm's inhabitants in historic times are from the 6th century, when the island became a centre of monastic activity ; the name ' Herm ' supposedly derives from hermits who settled there ( although an alternative interpretation derives Herm from Norse erm referring to an arm-like appearance of the island ).

However, the monks suffered from the inclement Atlantic ; in 709, a storm washed away the strip of land which connected the island with the small uninhabited island of Jethou.