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Jeanne De ClissonBreton noblewoman turned pirate
Country:
 Ireland |
Content:
Biography of Jeanne de Clisson
Born in 1300, Jeanne de Clisson, originally known as Jeanne de Belleville, was a Breton noblewoman who later became a pirate. At the age of 12, she was married off to Geoffrey de Châteaubriant, with whom she had two children, Louise and Geoffrey. However, their marriage came to an end in 1326 when Geoffrey passed away. Four years later, Jeanne remarried Olivier III de Clisson, a wealthy nobleman, and they had five children together - Maurice, Guillaume, Olivier, Isabeau (who died in 1343), and Jeanne.
In 1342, Jeanne's husband joined Charles de Blois in defending Brittany against English invaders during the Breton War of Succession. However, he fell out of favor and was accused of treason without any evidence. On August 2, 1343, he was executed on the orders of King Philip VI, and his severed head was even sent to Nantes.
Enraged by the injustice, Jeanne swore to avenge her husband and those who betrayed him, including King Philip and Charles de Blois. The beautiful noblewoman, renowned for her beauty, sold all her possessions and purchased three swift ships. She personally commanded one ship, while her two eldest sons commanded the others, all driven by a burning desire for revenge. This small fleet soon struck fear into French sailors, who dubbed Jeanne the Lioness of Brittany.
The pirates mercilessly sank any French ships they encountered, plundering coastal areas. It was said that anyone who intended to cross the English Channel on a French-flagged ship would write their will before setting sail. Jeanne always left a few survivors among the enemy ship's crew to reach the king and tell him about the latest strike by the Lioness of Brittany.
Interestingly, the noble avengers also conducted land attacks, often landing ashore and assaulting the castles and estates of those Jeanne deemed responsible for her husband's death. Captives suffered torturous deaths, and their properties were burned to the ground. Jeanne did not stop her actions even after the death of her sworn enemy, King Philip VI. It was rumored that she personally beheaded captured French aristocrats and tossed their bodies into the sea.
According to some accounts, Jeanne de Clisson pursued her maritime vengeance for 13 years before settling in England. There, she married Sir Walter Bentley, a lieutenant in the army of English King Edward III, who had fought against Charles de Blois. Eventually, Jeanne returned to France, and her son Olivier also returned to Brittany to fight in the Breton War of Succession.
