La Fontenelle's devastation in Penmarch
And also
The tops
Ransack and pillage
Penmarch was pretty prosperous between the 13th and the 15th century. The city used to trade with foreign countries, especially with Spain.
Everything changed at the end of the 16th century, with wars of Religion and the League trouble: do you know La Fontenelle?
He plundered and destroyed Penmarch. He slaughtered inhabitants who took shelter in the church...
Hey, he’s coming!
People knew La Fontenelle was a cruel and violent man. They were waiting for him! They were not afraid of him. In Penmarch, they were 10000 strong men, tough guys.
They only fortified the church and raised a fort in Kérity, to protect them in case of need. In the church, they put their money.
La Fontenelle arrived one day of religious celebration. He came with 10 accomplices. They literally dispersed in the crowd. He started to drink and laugh with the inhabitants.
And yet this day, La Fontenelle didn’t act. Inhabitants should have been more careful...
300 small boats full of treasure
The crook came back 3 days later. He arrived this time with more than 100 men! He created a diversion for the guards and then entered in the church.
A slaughter happened. A real bloodbath! Then La Fontenelle besieged the fort of Kérity and took prisoners the fugitives.
The tradition says he filled 300 small boats with his loot! Now, he could come back in his Tristan island, next to Douarnenez, with his prisoners.