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Last Updated 14th February 2020
If asked when the last invasion of Britain was, many people in Britain will remember 1066 when the Normans successfully invaded the south coast of England and defeated the army of King Harold and became the rulers of Britain for centuries. But that is simply not true…and the truth is that of a Welsh heroine who almost single-handedly saved the day for Britain.
Image courtesy of http://lastinvasiontapestry.co.uk/
The last invasion of Britain was in west Wales near to the town of Fishguard. The original plan of the French was to land at Bristol, but weather conditions and probably other mistakes meant that they actually landed in west Wales. On February 18th, 1797, the French invasion force set sail from Camaret. After landing on 22nd February between Fishguard and Goodwick at Carreg Wastad bay near to Strumble Head (Pen Caer) the French army of some 1,500 men marched inland and occupied higher ground Garnwnda and Garngelli. The French army was under the command of 70 year-old Irish American Colonel Tate. The French 'army' consisted of some 600 army regulars but also 800 to 900 convicts and prisoners pressed into service and who had been offered their freedom if they joined the invasion. Rather than advancing on Fishguard with military precision, they decided to overrun a farmhouse one mile inland, called Tre-Howel and they made this their headquarters. When the invasion occurred, Colonel Thomas Knox, commanding officer of the Fishguard Volunteers, was at a ball at a prosperous farmhouse Tregwynt, located between Fishguard and St David's and some four miles from where the landing took place.
The local British army was heavily outnumbered, but reinforcements were gathering at Fishguard where the officers were stationed overnight in what is now called the Royal Oak Inn.
The invasion started and finished within 2 days. A local heroine, Jemima Nicholas, is said to have captured soldiers single-handedly and secured them in St Mary’s Church with nothing more than a pitchfork. On 24th February, the French army marched down from their higher ground positions to Goodwick Beach, where they laid down their weapons and gave an unconditional surrender. The surrender was completed in the Royal Oak pub in Fishguard and this is noted on a plaque above the front door. It is recorded that Jemima was rewarded with an annual pension of £50 by the Government for her achievements in defeating the French invasion force. Jemima died in 1832 and is buried in St Mary's church where her gravestone inscription says, 'the Welsh heroine who boldly marched to meet the French invaders who landed on our shores in February 1797'.
The landmarks of this failed invasion are still to be seen today. Firstly in Fishguard there is a 100 feet long tapestry recording of this event made in 1997 to commemorate the, 200 year anniversary of the invasion. There is also a memorial at Carreg Wastad Point where the French landed. And whilst you’re in Fishguard, you can visit the Royal Oak pub, still serving food and drink today and witness a wall plaque recording the surrender and also see the relics from the battle including weapons and the table where the surrender was signed by both armies.
Tapestry Image courtesy of http://lastinvasiontapestry.co.uk/ .
Our company, FelinFach Natural Textiles is located in the heart of the Preseli area of Pembrokeshire near to Boncath. We design Welsh blankets, Welsh woollen blankets and throws which are traditionally woven at Welsh mills. We also design and make natural hand dyed yarn, cotton, silk and wool scarves and other handmade products. We are a proud supporter of the Campaign for Wool, Global Welsh and Wales International.
FelinFach is an official supporter of the worldwide Campaign for Wool. FelinFach has been part of this campaign for years which aims to promote wool generally but Welsh wool in particular and focuses on the sustainable attributes of wool as a natural fibre that meets an environmental agenda. The Campaign's mission aims to raise awareness of the unique benefits offered by wool
Owain Glyndwr Day, 16th September, commemorates the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales. He is now a figure of mass culture in Wales, with statues and monuments alongside pub and street names remembering him…Owain Glyndwr, 1350 - 1416 was in the opinion of many, one of the greatest Welshmen of all time if not the greatest.
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