Jeanne de Clisson

Jeanne de Clisson was born in England, in 1300. Her birth-given name was Jeanne-Louise de Belleville. When she was 12, she married 19-year-old Geoffrey de Châteaubriant. They had 2 children named Louise and Geoffrey. Her husband died in 1326. Four years later, she married Olivier III de Clisson, and they had 5 children: Maurice, Guillaume, Olivier, Isabeau (who died in 1343) and Jeanne.

 

Olivier III de Clisson worked in defending Brittany against the English Forces, but defected over to the English Forces, thus resulting in his execution. Jeanne swore vengeance against the King. She sold off nearly everything from the Clisson lands to raise money, and with this money, she bought 3 warships, and the aid of many of the lords and people off Brittany to ensure their independence.

 

The ships that Jeanne purchased were painted all black, with the sails dyed red. “The Black Fleet” began hunting down and destroying ships of the King. She would leave 2 or 3 of the King’s crew alive to take back the message that the “Lioness of Brittany” had struck again.

 

When the King died in 1350, Jeanne still continued to destroy French shipping. She took joy in hunting down and capturing ships of French noblemen when they were aboard. She would then behead them with an axe, and toss their bodies overboard.

 

After 13 years of piracy, she married Sir Walter Bentley, and settled in Hennebont. She allegedly died in 1359. 

Jeanne de Clisson was born in England, in 1300. Her birth-given name was Jeanne-Louise de Belleville. When she was 12, she married 19-year-old Geoffrey de Châteaubriant. They had 2 children named Louise and Geoffrey. Her husband died in 1326. Four years later, she married Olivier III de Clisson, and they had 5 children: Maurice, Guillaume, Olivier, Isabeau (who died in 1343) and Jeanne.

 

Olivier III de Clisson worked in defending Brittany against the English Forces, but defected over to the English Forces, thus resulting in his execution. Jeanne swore vengeance against the King. She sold off nearly everything from the Clisson lands to raise money, and with this money, she bought 3 warships, and the aid of many of the lords and people off Brittany to ensure their independence.

 

The ships that Jeanne purchased were painted all black, with the sails dyed red. “The Black Fleet” began hunting down and destroying ships of the King. She would leave 2 or 3 of the King’s crew alive to take back the message that the “Lioness of Brittany” had struck again.

 

When the King died in 1350, Jeanne still continued to destroy French shipping. She took joy in hunting down and capturing ships of French noblemen when they were aboard. She would then behead them with an axe, and toss their bodies overboard.

 

After 13 years of piracy, she married Sir Walter Bentley, and settled in Hennebont. She allegedly died in 1359.