This page includes:
- Introduction
- References to red flannels, whittles, shawls, mantles, cloaks and petticoats said to have been worn at the ‘Invasion’.
There are many more references to these red items in Hywel M. Davies, The Last Invasion: War, Women and Memory, 1797-1997, (2025), which analyses all the available evidence and demonstrates how the story changed in various ways over 200 years, especially how the naratives of the women in red shawls, whittles or cloaks and men with red petticoats over their shoulders were included and excluded from the innumerable versions of the legends.See also: Hywel M. Davies, ‘Terror, Treason and Tourism, the French in Pembrokeshire, 1797; in Footsteps of ‘Liberty and Revolt’: Essays on Wales and the French Revolution, edited by Mary-Ann Constantine and Dafydd Johnston.
See also Singer, Rita, Why, Why, Why, Jemima, Picturing the French Invasion of Fishguard
INTRODUCTION
One of the myths relating to Welsh costume dates to the end of the 18th century. It has often been said that the French soldiers who attempted to invade Britain via the rather isolated coves of north Pembrokeshire near Fishguard between the 22nd and 24th February 1797 were scared into submission by what appeared to be large numbers of troops, some of whom are said to have been women dressed in tall Welsh hats and red cloaks and thus looked at a distance, a little like soldiers. The evidence suggests that women were present but they were dressed in low-crowned hats and red whittles (shawls) but the term used to describe the women’s red coverings in various publications included flannels, whittles, shawls, mantles, cloaks and petticoats.
Unknown artist.
“A WELSH PEASANT AND WIFE in their accustomed Habbits, and with the kind of Weapons that several Thousand People appeared with near Fishguard, Feby 24th, 1797, the day the French surrendered to Ld. Cawdor and Colonel Colby’s Troops. The wonderful Effect that the Scarlet Flannel had that Day should never be forgotten. Lord Cawdor, very Judiciously, placed a considerable number of Women in that Dress, in the rear of his Army, who being considered by the French as being regular Troops, contributed in no small degree, to that happy, and unexpected Surrender.”
National Museum Wales, St Fagans, F84.159/43
This contemporary print illustrates a man and woman at the event. It shows the woman in a man’s hat, like a bowler. Other evidence suggests that only women of gentry families wore tall hats when horse riding in Wales and England at this time but John Evans noted in 1803 that the women of north Pembrokeshire wore ‘a large, broad brimmed, high-crowned, beaver hat’ so there may be some truth in this part of the story. (Evans, John, Letters written during a tour through South Wales, in the year 1803. (London, 1804), p. 257) Red cloaks, however, were rare in Wales until after about 1860: the colour of cloaks was much more likely to be blue: it was the red shawl or whittle which became known as the ‘Frenchman’s terror’.
The type of shawl worn at Fishguard and elsewhere in south-west Wales might have been like this rare surviving example. The whole shawl is 0.66 x 1.52m (2ft 2 ins x 5 ft). It has selvedge down both the long sides (i.e. it was woven this width) and fringes on the both ends.
No known examples of this type of shawl or whittle can be confidently dated to the late 18th century.
Contemporary descriptions suggest that they were square, not rectangular as this one is.
Jemima Nicholas (sometimes spelled Nicolas / Niclas, 1750-1832) is said to have worn a long red cloak and tall Welsh hat when she rounded up some of the Frenchmen. There are several surviving shawls which are claimed to have been worn by women at the event. One is of a fine plain red wool, much moth eaten and repaired, said to have been worn by Jemima Nicholas but its date is difficult to establish and it is likely to be mid- to late-19th century. (Pembrokeshire Museums 10.86.PM). Another is a paisley shawl which is certainly not the type described by the contemporary and subsequent accounts. (J S. Kinross, Fishguard Fiasco. Tenby, 1974). At least two Welsh hats said to have been worn by Jemima are known but both are of a type and materials not made until after the 1830s.
When the centenary of the event was celebrated in 1897, many women dressed up in long red cloaks and tall Welsh hats.
REFERENCES TO RED FLANNELS, WHITTLES, SHAWLS, MANTLES, CLOAKS AND PETTICOATS in chronological order.
1797 Fishguard
The country gathered from all parts of Pembrokeshire near four hundred women in red flannel and Squire Cambel (Lord Cawdor) went to ask them were they to fight and they said they were.
From a letter of John and Mary Mathias of Narberth to their sister, February 27th, 1797, NLW 14005C
Jones, E.H. Stuart, The Last Invasion of Britain, (UWP, 1950), p. 119
An annotated version of this letter was published in a contemporary newspaper:
Four hundred of us went to Squire Campbell’s in our red mantles to look like soldiers. He asked us, what we came for? We said, to fight the French. And when the French saw us, they laid down their arms. …
Bath Chronicle, 13th April, 1797, p. 3; Hereford Journal, 19th April, 1797, p. 3
Pembrokeshire Herald, 24th September, 1869, p. 2
1797 Fishguard
The cause was owing to the vigilance, alackrity and spirit of the Welch who came running from all Quarters of the Country to oppose them, and in about 48 hours they amounted to 7 or 8 thousand men of all sorts, some well armed, others with long pike staffs, others with scythes straitined – a Desperate weapon – others with pitchforks, and, above all, about 400 poor women with Red Flannel over their shoulders, whom the French at a Distance took for soldiers, as they appeared all red.
Letter from John Mends, Haverfordwest, to his son John, 27th February , 1797
Jones, E.H. Stuart, The Last Invasion of Britain, (UWP, 1950), p. 120
1797 Fishguard [Print, a man and woman, both in men’s hats, see above.]
‘A WELCH PEASANT AND HIS WIFE in their accustomed Habits and with the kind of Weapons that several Thousand People appeared with near Fishguard, Feb y 24th, 1797 the day the French surrendered to Ld Cawdor & Colonel Colby’s Troops. The wonderful Effect that the Scarlet Flannel had that day should never be forgotten. Lord Cawdor, very Judiciously, placed a considerable number of women in that Dress, in the rear of his army, who being considered by the French as being regular Troops, contributed in no small degree to that happy and unexpected surrender.
National History Museum, St Fagans : F84.159.43
1797 Haverfordwest
the english or rather the welsh got together with the women and children with the red flannels over their shoulders and placed them in such a position that the french could only see their heads and they thought it was a large army of men …
Letter from Ann Knight, 28th February, while staying at Haverfordwest.
Rose, R.B., ‘The French at Fishguard: Fact, Fiction and Folklore’, Transaction of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, (2003), p. 98
1797
Print, ‘A Fishguard Fencible’, published by G.M. Woodward, (London, 1797)
This was accompanied by the text (in a mock Welsh accent): Py St David – they took the women’s red cloaks for Soldiers & look’d as pale as the Tiffel himself – Let ’em come- whose afraid – WELCH POYS – reaping hooks – toasted cheese – creen leeks – and Little FISHGUARD for ever!
The striped jacket was provided by Thomas Knox, commander of the ‘Fishguard Fencibles’
1797
Breeches, peticoats, shirts, shifts, blankets, sheets (for some received the news in bed), have been most woefully defiled in south Wales lately on hearing that a thimble-full of French men landed on our coast. I hope that you will have the goodness to compassionate [sic] our unfortunate wash-women. Our dragooners sent us some companies of dragoons after the old women of Pembrokeshire had secured the damned republicans, as it seems we are requested to call them.
Iolo Morganwg to William Owen Pughe, 7 March 1797, NLW 13222C, pp. 131–134
Jenkins, Geraint H., et al, The Correspondence of Iolo Morganwg, 1797-1809, vol. 2, (2007), p. 19
1797
Baker, James, A Brief Narative of the Fishguard Invasion, near Fishguard Bay: including a perfect description of that part of the coast of Pembrokeshire, on which was affected the landing of the French forces, on 22nd February 1797, and of their Surrender to the Welch provincial troops, headed by Lord Cawdor, (1797)
1798
We scarcely recollect a better military strategem, than that by which Lord Cawdor intimidated the French troops that landed at Fishguard – it is not generally known that a number of Welsh women, whose common dress is a beaver hat and a short red cloak were ranged on the surrounding hills. … The uniform of the ladies were at that distance a formidable appearance, and the heroes of the GREAT NATION surrendered at discretion to the fair.
Kentish Gazette, 28th August, 1798, p. 3 and other newspapers.
1798
This makes no reference to women taking part in the defeat of the French.
The New Annual Register: Or General Repository of History, Politics, and Literature for the year 1797, (London, 1798) pp. 244-246. This includes letters published about the Invasion in the London Gazette Extraordinary.
1798
This account was written by William Reed who wrote it during his tour of parts of Wales in 1798.
In the afternoon we reached the town of Fisguard [Fishguard], which is situated upon a steep cliff, overlooking an inlet of St. George’s Channel. A little fort, built on the rock commanding the bay, is mounted with eight great guns. The French having effected a landing near this place on the 22d of February 1797, it is now become an object of curiosity and importance to the inquisitive traveller.
From a 50-gun ship, and three smaller vessels, about 1400 of these miserable adventurers were put on shore, with a considerable quantity of ammunition and provisions. Early on the following morning the vessels set sail again, leaving the troops without any hope of retreat or of further support. Thus circumstanced, they on the 25th laid down their arms on Goodwick Sands, surrendering themselves prisoners, without risking a battle, to the following inferior force: Lord Cawdor’s troop of horse, Colonel Knox’s corps of Fisguard and Newport fencibles, Captain Ackland’s Pembroke fencibles, and part of the Cardiganshire militia ; amounting in all to about 600. A great number of gentlemen farmers, peasantry, and colliers, armed with scythes, pitchforks, and such other weapons as could first be had, flocked from every quarter to see the great sight, and assist in repelling the enemy, who it is supposed were greatly disappointed by meeting with such opposition instead of encouragement. On this occasion also a multitude of women covered themselves with their red flannels, and fell into ranks upon the adjoining hills, to increase the formidable appearance of our army. About 300 grenadiers, amongst the French, were fine well-disciplined men, and very unwilling to give up the matter so easily; nor would the enemy it is said have surrendered without fighting, but for a division which took place amongst themselves, in consequence of a theft. A Frenchman who was bare-footed, meeting a poor Welshman, insisted upon having his shoes. The latter felt himself considerably embarrassed at this demand, for having only three guineas in the world, he had in the morning resorted to the simple stratagem of putting them into his shoes, believing they would be as safe there as in the bank; but in the transfer alluded to, Monsieur not only put the shoes on his own feet, but the guineas into his pocket, and instantly decamped.
This transaction was soon made known to the French officers, and the fellow was condemned to be shot for the offence. Part of the army acquiesced in the determination; but the other part opposing it, disunion among the whole was the result, and consequently a want of power to concentrate their energies against their opponents. We visited the spot where they landed, now called the camp,’ a fine, level, square piece of ground, surrounded with deep glens, rendering it difficult of ascent. Before they could gain this desirable position, they had to climb over a precipice of rocks, nearly of the colour and hardness of iron, full of dangerous chasms, and almost perpendicular, to the height of one hundred or a hundred and fifty feet. They offered no kind of violence to the persons of the natives. The farm-houses were all visited by them it is true, and cleared of most of their provisions; they also took considerable liberty with the pigs, geese, fowls, and calves; hut decreed to all of them the honour of boiling in milk and butter. Two or three Welshmen lost their lives by their own imprudence; and about an equal number of the enemy was killed. A Frenchman was pushed off one of the most frightful cliffs that I ever saw, for stealing something from one of his comrades. His skeleton is still seen amongst the rocks.
Evans, John, (ed.), Remains of William Reed, late of Thornbury; including rambles in Ireland, (London, 1815), pp. 88-90
1799
how much the colour and the garment contributed … to strike the enemy with consternation is too well known to be mentioned.
‘Cymro’, [Theophilus Jones (1759-1812)] Cursory Remarks on Welsh Tours or Travels (1799), Cambrian Register II, (for 1796), p. 440
1799
The women throughout the northern part of Cardiganshire, were dressed in blue jackets, with petticoats of the same colour; and sometimes the addition of a blue rug, over the shoulders. About the middle of the county, their appearance began to vary. The blue mantle gave place to white; and in a few instances to red ones : and as we approached nearer the town of Cardigan, the number of the former diminished, and the latter increased.
It is to the singular appearance of the females of this country, thus adorned, that they ascribe the sudden panic with which the French invaders were struck, when they had effected a landing at Fishguard Bay. M. Tate, who, with a handful of men, was bold enough to expose himself and his feeble train to certain and inevitable destruction, and audacious enough to suppose himself capable of holding, or at least of assuming a post to which the disaffected might resort, and where they might make a stand, till fresh assistance and additional succours could arrive from France, haying gained the summit of a lofty eminence near near Fishguard, was astonished at the military appearance of the opposite hill, which he soon beheld covered, as he thought, with soldiers, but who were, in fact, only a host of Welch women, prompted, some by courage, some by curiosity, and others by apprehension, to reconnoitre the enemy; but these Cambrian Amazons having on their red mantles, struck a terror into the French, whose general immediately waited on Lord Cawdor, commanding officer of the military force stationed nearest to the spot, and surrendered himself a prisoner at discretion.
Lipscomb, George, Journey into South Wales…in the year 1799, (London, 1802), pp. 168-169
1799
{Account of the invasion written in the year it took place.}
Baker, J., A Picturesque Guide through Wales and the Marches; interspersed with the most interesting subjects of antiquity in that principality. 2nd edition with considerable alterations and additions [and plates] and has a view of the site of the French Invasion at Fishguard of 1797, (J. Tymbs: Worcester, 1799).
Early 19th century, probably
The undated but probably early 19th century oil painting by an anonymous artist of the French Invasion at Fishguard, said to have been based on eye-witness accounts. Detail on the bottom left shows women in red and blue shawls, and head kerchiefs or low hats. On the right, blue shawls are more common than red.
Carmarthen Museum (was on display at Scolton Museum, Pembrokeshire)
1801
{While at Haverfordwest, Thomas Martyn told a story relating to the French captured at Fishguard.}
An Account of a Tour of Wales (by Mr M [Martyn]), NLW ms 1340C, pp. 100-101
1802
{Rain prevented Walter Davies from continuing his tour.} I amused myself in going from cottage to cottage to pick up some anecdotes on the spot respecting the Descent and Capitulation of the French in the year [blank] In the evening Wednesday Feb the 22nd About [blank] o clock 1400 had affected their landing … {A vessel carrying wine had been wrecked about a week before, and the wine found its way to most of the houses in the neighbourhood. The French drank it. The number of French were said to be 60,000, then 30,000.
[This account makes no mention of the role the women were said to have played. It is possible that some of the story had come from his memory.]
Davies, Walter, Journal no. VI Kept on a Journey Through Parts of South Wales, 1802, NLW MS 1730B, pp. 118-121 [p. 121 contains only one line, suggesting that he was planning to add more.]
1802
4.7.1802 (Sunday)
The late event has rendered this place more conspicuous in history than it was when I last passed through it [1793]. I allude to the landing of the French in its neighbourhood on 22nd February, 1797, under General Tate to the number of between twelve and fourteen hundred. Their place of landing was a point of land called Cerrig Gwastad to the west of Aberfelin bay. This was on the 22nd February 1797 and they surrendered their arms on Goodick sands near Fishguard on the 24th to an English force far inferior to them in numbers. The object of this French expedition hitherto remains a mystery. My friend Mr Fenton, told me a circumstance in which providence seems to have almost miraculously interfered to save the neighbouring country from their depredations. For a short tiem only before their landing a ship laden with wine was wrecked on that coast. Every cottager profited from the spoils attending the wreck; so that the French on plundering in their turn the cottages drank so freely of the wine that they were in a complete state of intoxication and were heard explaining: ‘Vive le Roy d’Angleterre‘ etc. etc. and such loyal expressions.
Colt Hoare, Richard
Cardiff Public Library, MS 3.127.2 (quarto); Cardiff Public Library, MS 4.302.1 (folio); NLW 16489C (Manuscript copy), f. 152v
Thompson, M.W., The Journeys of Sir Richard Colt Hoare through England and Wales, 1793-1810, (1983) p. 225
1802
Sir Richard Colt Hoare made manuscript notes on inserted interleaved pages in a copy of Wyndham’s Tour June and July, 1774, and June, July and August, 1777, (2nd edition 1781). The notes are dated 1802 and are very similar to his journal of the same tour (above).
Inn Capt Langhorn’s – no sign, no wine, no horses
Fishguard has been rendered conspicuous in history since the publication of this tour [Wyndham’s], from the circumstance of the French under the command of General Tate, having landed between twelve and fourteen hundred men in its vicinity – the exact spot was a point of land called Carrig Gwastad to the west of Aberfelin bay. They landed on the 22nd February 1797 – and they surrendered their arms on Goodwick sands near Fishguard on the 24th to the English troops commanded by Lord Cawdor who were inferior to them in numbers.
Colt Hoare, Richard, Manuscript notes on interleaved pages in Wyndham’s Tour June and July, 1774, and June, July and August, 1777, (2nd edition 1781), NLW ms. 20078D, opp. p. 77
1803
It is well known, that in the last war, some French troops succeeded in effecting a landing in Wales. They were greatly superior to the regular force which happened to be in the part of the country where they landed; but, upon seeing at a distance, a number of Welsh wonen with red cloaks, whom they mistook for soldiers, they surrendered!
Association for the Preservation of Liberty and Property, Address to the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, on the Threatened Invasion, (1803)
1803 Pembrokeshire
it is probable that the enemy [the French] would have given some trouble to the country, had it not been for a collection of women on a distant hill, clad in red mantles peculiar to these parts who were taken for a large reinforcement coming on to the attack. p. 456
The whittle here only appears occasionally, and is a distinction on which the wearer never fails to value herself highly. It is a short red mantle, with a very deep fringe, hanging over the shoulders, and communicates a most awfully military appearance, as General Tate can testify. [General Tate was the French officer who led the Fishguard invasion] p. 482
Malkin, B.H., Scenery, Antiquities and Biography of South Wales, from materials collected during two excursions in the year 1803. (London 1804)
The reference to the whittle and General Tate was transcribed with minor alterations, by Mary Curtis in her chapter on costume in The Antiquities of Laugharne, Pendine and their Neighbourhoods, (1871), (2nd edition, 1880), p. 44
1803
[The French would have given] some trouble in the country, had it not been for a collection of women on a distant hill, clad in red mantles peculiar to these parts, who were taken for a large reinforcement coming on to the attack. … . The whittle here only appears occasionally, and is a distinction on which the wearer never fails to value herself highly. It is a short red mantle, with a very deep fringe, hanging over the shoulders, and communicates a most awfully military appearance, as General Tate can testify.
Malkin, B.H., (1769-1842), The Scenery, Antiquities, and Biography of South Wales from materials collected during two excursions in the year 1803, (London: 1804), p. 455-456
1805
John Henry Manners (Fifth Duke of Rutland, 1778-1857), who toured Wales in July to October, 1797, stayed with Lord Cawdor at Stackpole, Pembrokeshire. He recorded at some length Cawdor’s stories about the behaviour and capture of the French and of the defence of Wales, and he also visited Fishguard and wrote about the invasion while he was there. At no point did he mention women dressed to appear like soldiers, but he did write ‘The peasants who had assembled were so artfully arranged, as to appear to the French, as if the whole country had risen en masse.’
Manners, John Henry, Journal of a tour through north and south Wales, the Isle of Man, [and a small part of Scotland] &c. &c., (1805), p. 184
1807
In Carmarthenshire they wear an oblong piece of red flannel deeply bordered with black ribband, which they throw across their shoulders, and which since the taking of the French who landed at Fishguard last war, have been termed the Frenchman’s terror.
Meyrick, S., The History and Antiquities of the County of Cardiganshire, (1807), p. ccii
1811
{Includes a detailed account of the French Invasion, but says nothing about women’s involvement in the surrender.}
Fenton, Richard, (1747-1821), A Historical Tour Through Pembrokeshire (1811)
1811
A peculiar kind of Provincial article of Dress is worn in Gower, called The Gower Whittle. This whittle is manufactured from fine Wool, and then dyed scarlet It is nearly square, about a yard each way. At the bottom is a handsome fringe, or in the Provincial term, Ddrums. The Whittle is thrown across the Shoulders, and fastened before, with a Pin or Broach. But the old Provincial mode of fastening it, was with the Prickle of a black Thorn, which being of itself of a tough nature, and being dried, is sufficiently strong to penetrate the Whittle. Some of the old Women retain it to this day. The Whittle is also worn in the Neighbourhood of Fishguard, in the County of Pembroke, where there is a Colony of the same people as the Gowerians (Flemings). When the French landed there a few years ago, the Women ran down to the Sea-shore with these Whittles on, which much terrified the Enemy, who took them at a distance for a Corps of Soldiers.
Carlisle, Nicholas, A Topographical Dictionary of the Dominion of Wales … (1811), ‘Swansea’
This was reproduced in Llwyd, Richard, The history of Wales written originally in British by Caradoc of Llancarvan; translated into English by Dr. Powell; augmented by W. Wynne … revised and corrected, and a collection of topographical notices attached thereto, by Richard Llwyd …, (1832), Topographical Notices, Glamorganshire, pp. 125-126
1813
In the course of this day a regular force was collected to oppose the enemy, consisting of fencibles and a troop of cavalry, but not amounting to more than seven hundred men.
Lord Cawdor put himself at their head and marched boldly forwards, followed at a little distance by a large body of women, all anxiously trembling for their husbands, fathers, and brothers. The French were now in motion, and were seen winding in single file down a rugged hill, and bending their course towards Fishguard. They halted on Goodwich Sands, a fine level plain, distant a little more than a mile from the town: the British troops were almost within musket-shot on some heights above, and a bloody and desperate struggle was anticipated, when the affair was suddenly and most unexpectedly terminated by the unconditional surrender of the French. It is confidently asserted, that the cause of their yielding to so inferior a force was this: the women in the rear were all clad, according to the custom of the country, in red woollen shawls, called Whittles, and these, together with their black beaver hats, gave them not only a masculine but a very martial appearance; the French mistook them for a reserve of troops, and immediately gave up the contest in despair.
Ayton, Richard, A Voyage Round Great-Britain, Undertaken in the Summer of 1813 … with a Series of Views … by William Daniell, vol. 1 (London, 1814), p. 127
1819
At Fishguard {volunteer soldiers were used to keep the French} ‘in check but then the country folks, the Cambrians, en masse were pouring down to Fishguard armed with Pitchforks, Scythes etc, and the hardy females put on red cloaks and lined the tops of the distant hills intended as a Ruse de Guerre’
Dewing, Lynn, 1819, NMW 163680, pp. 37-38
1822
FISHGUARD, OR FISGUARD.
Fishguard. The same desolate appearance [as St David’s] continues as far as this place, a miserable port in the Bay of Cardigan, rendered famous by the late gallant and successful enterprise of the Welsh peasantry, under Lord Cawdor, against a considerable party of French banditti, who had been turned loose here.
Anon, An account of the principal pleasure tours in England and Wales, Fifth Tour in Wales, Gloucester to Aberystwyth, (1822), pp. 190-191
1834
Tros yr ysgwyddau, yn Nyfed a manau eraill, teflir yn gyffredin ddarn o wlanen hir-onglog, weithiau o liw gwyn, ond ar y Sabboth, yn fynychaf, bydd o liw coch tanbaid. Y gwlanenau cochion hyn a barasant ddychryn yn y Ffrancod a laniasant yn Nyfed gynt, gan iddynt feddwl mai milwyr oedd yr hen wragedd a welent ar y clogwyni.
Over the shoulders, an oblong piece of flannel is thrown, in Dyfed and other places. On week days, white flannels are generally seen, but on Sunday, all appear in their home-spun shawls, of beautiful and brilliant crimson. These red coverings made the French who landed in Pembrokeshire during the late war think that the immense multitude which they saw lining the cliffs, were all soldiers.
Blackwell, John, Rev. Essay for the Gwent and Dyfed Royal Eisteddfod, held at Cardiff in 1834 ‘On the Advantages Resulting from the Preservation of the Welsh Language and the National Costumes of Wales’ (but it was sent in too late for adjudication). Just the section on costume was published anonymously under the title ‘Gwisgiad y Cymru’ (The Welsh Costume) in Welsh in the magazine which he edited for its brief existence, 1834-1835, Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas er Taenu Gwybodaeth Fuddiol [Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge] (Llanymddyfri, 1834), pp. 274-276.
His full essay was published in English, with some variations and additions to the Welsh, in Beauties of Alun; being the Literary Remains, in Welsh and English, of the late The Rev John Blackwell, B.A., (Ruthin and London, 1851), edited by G. Edwards (Gutyn Padarn), pp. 253-26 and also in The Cambrian Journal, (Cambrian Institute, Tenby, 1861), pp. 26-38.
1842
Those dressed in scarlet in Great Britain are old women, soldiers and students in Aberdeen and Glasgow (but not in Edinburgh). As a result of this, old women were once mistaken for soldiers. To explain – in Wales, they say, when, on the occasion of an enemy landing, the coast was totally empty of troops, the women in their red cloaks had gathered on the hills. The enemy had taken them for soldiers and had through fear retreated to their ships. This is perhaps only a fictitious anecdote.
Kohl, J.G., Reisen in Schottland, (Dresden, 1844)
Travels in Scotland, (1842) by J.G. Kohl, translated with introduction and Notes by Ursula Cairns Smith and J.M.Y. Simpson, (2012)
1842
Not all of this account, published 45 years after the event, is thought to be entirely accurate, but it is interesting to note that the author refers to mantles rather than cloaks and round hats rather than tall hats.
{The French surrendered.} It was a grand spectacle, to look on the surrounding hills, crowded with innumerable spectators of both sexes: – the women in their scarlet mantles and round hats, appeared at a distance like so many soldiers. (p. 21)
Jemima Nicholas, an inhabitant of the town of Fishguard, a tall, stout masculine female, who worked as a shoemaker and cobbler, felt imbued with the noble and patriotic spirit of ancient Cambria: she took a pitchfork, and boldly marched to Pencaer, to meet the invading foe. On her approach, she saw, in a field, about twelve Frenchmen; – not a whit daunted, she advanced to them, and, whether alarmed at her courage, or persuaded by her rhetoric, she had the address to conduct them to, and confine them in the guard-house, at Fishguard. (p. 33)
A French Lady of Rank who was making a tour through England and Wales, visited the camp at Pencaer, – said, when at home, she had often heard, that her countrymen had been frightened by the Welsh women’s red flannel mantles, mistaking them for British soldiers. She purchased one of the scarlet flannels, to take home to France, in order to ridicule the French military. (p. 42)
Williams, H.L., (ap Gwilym), An authentic account of the invasion by the French troops, (under the command of General Tate) on Carrig Gwasted Point, near Fishguard, on Wednesday, the 22nd day of February, 1797, and their surrender to the forces of his Britannic Majesty, on Goodwick sands, on Friday, the 24th of February; likewise, some occurrences connected therewith, (Haverfordwest : Joseph Potter, Printer, High-Street; 1842); 2nd edition, Haverfordwest, 1853)
1843
THE WELSH AMAZONS.
The following ludicrous account of the landing of the French at Fishguard, in 1797, appears in the last number of the United Service Magazine. The Magnificent extensive sea-beach known by this name (Goodwick Sands) ,forming the landward boundary of Fishguard is flanked at either end by dark precipices, on the one nearest the town is a remarkable range of pasture-Iane called Windy Hal … More than 2,000 women, attired in the scarlet whittle and round beaver hat, the common costume of the female Welsh peasantry, which, at a distance, renders it difficult to distinguish them from men, were there drawn up in a steady, line shouldering staves, spades, and pitchforks, with banner displayed at intervals. …
Monmouthshire Merlin, 18.2.1843
1843
HOW THE FRENCH FARED AT FISHGUARD, IN 1797, A.D. BY A NATIVE
[A first-hand account of the invasion] Several hundred women, young and old, had followed their husbands from the hills, dressed in the national costume — red mantles and men’s beaver-hats. No sooner had Lord Cawdor started with his troopers, than they, with the natural curiosity of their sex, ran up a hill commanding a view of the French camp, and there stood in a dense body watching the result. One of the gentlemen present, struck by their resemblance at a distance to a body of soldiers, rode after them, requesting they would descend the front of the slope, in close order, and disappearing at the bottom, re-ascend in the same manner, and shew themselves on the summit. This manoeuvre they repeated for a couple of hours, until the jolly Welsh wives were fairly dead-beat. But the stratagem had all the success anticipated. General Tate and his staff, knowing that scarlet was the British uniform, but unable to discriminate whether it was worn by men or women, concluded that large reinforcements had reached Fishguard, of which his late visitors were the officers.
Anon, ‘The French at Fishguard in 1797’,The United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal, 41/171, (Feb. 1843), pp. 202-213
Chambers’s Journal of Popular Literature, vol. 13, (1860), p. 20
Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser, 3.2.1860 and in other publications.
‘A Native’ The Red Dragon, The National Magazine of Wales, vol. 7 (1885), p. 242
1844
We will … follow this troupe of Welshwomen, fresh from market. How well they ride!… No wonder that the French were alarmed into a retreat from the Welsh coast, at the sudden approach of a phalanx of Welshwomen in their red cloaks and shawls.
Beale, Anne (1816-1900), The Vale of the Towey ; or Sketches in South Wales (1844), p. 69, republished as Traits and Stories of the Welsh Peasantry (1849), p. 69
1848 Merthyr Tydfil
The dress of the women in Merthyr is of a substantial description, and mostly of flannel; the greater proportion are well dressed habited in expensive, though not gaudy attire. This is especially seen at funerals … The hat is not much worn by women of Merthyr, but this ancient costume is still retained in Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire. In this last mentioned county it served well with the red cloak on one occasion to deter the French invaders on the coast of Fishguard.
Clarke, T.E., A Guide to Merthyr Tydfil and the travellers Companion in Visiting the Ironworks, (1848)
1851 (1858)
The neighbourhood of Fishguard has derived some celebrity in modern times from the landing of a French force, under Gen. Tate, at Llanwrda, about two miles and a half southward of the town, on February 22, 1797. There were about 1400 men, of whom 600 were regular soldiers, and 800 proved to be criminals liberated from French prisons. These effected a landing, and after a night devoted to plunder and intoxication, they surrendered to a few militia and volunteers, not half their own number, hastily brought together, under the command of Lord Cawdor. To the narrative of this strange affair it is commonly added, that the invaders were panic struck on seeing a number of Welsh women in their beaver hats and red whittles, or shawls, ranged on the summits of the adjacent heights. Fear transformed them into formidable reserves of military, to contend with whom appeared hopeless; and accordingly, Tate sent a flag of truce and agreed to an unconditional surrender.
Black’s Picturesque Guide through North and South Wales and Monmouthshire. (Edinburgh 1851); 8th edition, 1858, p. 288
1852
The Welsh whittle being no other than the red shawl niw so Fashionable in our city [Ney York].
Anon, ‘Red Shawls and French Invaders. An Historical Anecdote for the Ladies’, The Republic: A Monthly Magazine of Americal Literature, vol. 3, no. 3, (March 1852), p. 146
1854
A Government Official came to inspect the old fort at Fishguard.
‘A great sensation [was created] especially among the old women who frightened the French with their red flannel shawls in February 1797’
Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser, 7 April, 1854, p. 4
1859
Collins suggested that women took off their red petticoats and put them over their husbands’ shoulders.
Collins, Wilkie, ‘The Great (Forgotten) Invasion, Nooks and Corners of History, II’, Household Words, vol. 29, 12 March 1859, pp. 337-341; My Miscellanies, vol. 1, (London, 1863), pp. 151-167 and various other publications.
1860
A large number of Welshwomen, in their characteristic red petticoats, viewed the transaction from the neighbouring hills, thus giving the enemy the notion that they were surrounded by much larger forces than really were present.
Anon, A handbook for travellers in South Wales and its borders, including the River Wye, (1860), pp. 128-129 (and subsequent editions)
1862
Apropos of the red whittle it may be recollected that the last French invasion, consisting of an army of a thousand or so of men, at Fishguard, was effectually repelled by the appearance of the Welsh women on the distant heights, in their hats and red whittles, presenting a military aspect, which deceived the French general into a belief that an English army stood ready to receive him. As in most remote and thinly populated countries, the women of Wales are spinners and knitters of the family hose; and the village loom supplies the homespun fabrics which form the staple of the peasant costume.
Bigg, W., The ten-day tourist; or, Sniffs of the mountain breeze, (1862)
1863
The officer commanding, remembering the hats, the scarlet cloaks, and the blue gowns worn by the weaker sex, bethought him of a ruse, and caused them to walk round and round a point, like the armies round the wings of a theatre, which manquvre exhibited the appearance of a large approaching force of infantry, and contributed very much to the surrender of the enemy. Inasmuch as the women of Pembrokeshire, unlike most Welsh females, are not handsome, it cannot be said that the French yielded to the influence of their charms.
J F N H, ‘A Remote Corner of Wales’, Bentley’s miscellany, Volume 54, (1863), p. 403
1865
Rev. Henry Vincent (1799-1865) was born near Fishguard 2 years after the French Invasion and knew of many stories associated with it from local people, amongst whom were his parents and grandfather, John James of Trefelgarn only three miles from Garreg Gwastad. He gathered and transcribed many published accounts of the event, especially that of H.L. Williams, (ap Gwilym), An authentic account of the invasion by the French troops, … (Haverfordwest : Joseph Potter, Printer, High-Street; 1842); 2nd edition, Haverfordwest, 1853).
However, other than a few first-hand references to the invasion, he has little original to add to the published stories:
Having spent my childhood at Fishguard and Pencaer, some of the particulars … might be classed among my earliest reminiscences. In those days hundreds were wont to crowd to the spot every summer when the natives had the opportunity of refreshing their memories, fighting their battles over again and spinning long yarns which they turned to a more speedy and in a pecuniary point of view, to a more profitable account then the webb of Penelope.
When at St David’s cathedral school in 1810 Vincent lodged with a sister of Captain Thomas Beynon who marched from St David’s to attack the French. His wounds earned him a pension.
Vincent remembered Jemima Nicholas who had lived for many years near his mother’s home:
‘Jemima Fawr, a tall, stout powerful Amazon, a cobbler by trade and altogether the most muscular [woman] my eyes ever beheld.
Vincent felt that it was an exaggeration that she captured 12 Frenchmen: but she was rewarded by the inhabitants with as much ale as she could drink, and that not a little, it being a beverage to which she displayed no dislike all her lifetime.
He was sceptical of the story often repeated and sometimes believed that the French having been induced to submit so speedily in consequence of their having mistaken the red flannels of the women for soldiers.
Notes on the Fishguard Invasion by Rev. Henry Vincent, University Library, Swansea, pp. 466-525
This is very similar in form to NLW Cwrtmawr 858c which contain Vincent’s a few brief first-hand accounts of the invasion (p. 465). His page numbers suggest that the Swansea University volume was a continuation of Cwrtmawr 858c.
Extracts in Walker, Margaret S., ‘Rev. Henry Vincent, 1799-1865: a neglected Pembrokeshire Antiquarian’, The Journal of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society, no. 6, (1994-1995), pp. 69-78
1872
RED SHAWLS. A noteworthy incident if correct is preserved to the trade mark affixed to the fine soft red shawls manufactured (I think) by Messrs Jones of Newport [Pembrokeshire] and sold at this place (Tenby). It represents a rough, rocky headland, and on its narrow pathway are walking, two and two, several females in the usual Welsh garb – high-crowned hats and red shawls crossed tightly round their shoulders. It is thus explained: that on the invasion of the French and their landing in Fishguard, in 1797, a panic was produced, and the invaders were persuaded that a large body of troops awaited them by the women of the neighbourhood, thus dressed, perambulating the cliffs and shore, while the males, under Lord Milton, gallently gathered to resist the French with what arms and missiles came to hand. Can readers … say with whom originated a plan which gives the red shawls and damsels of Wales an honourable place in the archives of their country.
S.M.S., ‘Red Shawls’ Notes and Queries, 4th series, no. 10 (October 1872), p. 331
1875
Harries dedicated his book ‘To the Women of Pembrokeshire, descendants of the brave whittle wearers who struck terror into the hearts of the Invader.’
Harries, John (Cymro Sir Benfro), Welsh Patriotism: Or, The Landing of the French at Fishguard on the 22nd February , 1797, compiled from authentic sources, (1875), dedication.
1875
The first thing which is said to have struck terror into the enemy was the appearance on the hills of a line of Welsh women, with their high hats and mantles, which they mistook for a regiment of the Grenadier Guards: and no wonder, for the mantles were of bright scarlet; and the hats—which still remain the costume of the elder females in these parts—measure 9 inches high, and 4 deep in the rim; 18 in circumference at the top, and 23 at the bottom, of the crown. So great an interest is taken in every relic of the “great event,” that we were shown with pride by the owner one of the whittles which had taken part in it, and been worn by her aunt on the occasion—the said owner being, by the way, the happy (or unhappy 🙂 mother of twenty-seven Welshmen and Welshwomen (almost all of whom she has survived), and looking as bonnie and likely to live another twenty years as any one I ever saw.
Anon, ‘North-West Pembrokeshire’, Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 118, (July to December, 1875), p. 289
1879
An elderly lady, deceased 10 years ago [i.e. about 1870] at the age of 90 [i.e. about 17 at the time of the invasion] told me that a number of women dressed in the Welsh costume, with scarlet cloaks, and their high crowned, black beaver hats, were made to go up a hill a moderate distance off and to come out at some other point in such a way as if they were three times numerous. An officer said “You see we had an abundance more troops [sic].’
Curtis, Mary, The Antiquities of Laugharne, Pendine and their Neighbourhoods, 2nd edition 1880 (completed July 1879, see p. 339), p. 338
1883 DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE CASTLEMARTIN YEOMANRY
[The man] a lad at the time of the invasion when the French were frightened by the historical red flannel whittles and conical hats.
Western Mail, February 1, 1883
1887
It was suggested that a statue of a woman in a red shawl, rather than a cloak, should be produced to mark Queen Victoria’s Jubilee:
THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE. MEMORIAL OF THE ‘RED FLANNEL SHAWL BRIGADE’ AT FISHGUARD.
A statue representing a Welsh matron in native costume, giving prominence to the red flannel shawl was suggested as a way to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee.
Western Mail, January 31, 1887
1892
Large numbers of country women … had assembled on a hill commanding an extensive prospect including the French outpost at Carnunda, desiring … to see as much as possible of what was going forward. It was the hill on which I had stationed myself. Most of the women wore their distinctive shawl a scarlet whittle, this being the colour appropriated by the daughters of Pembrokeshire; while their Cardiganshire neighbours have adopted the white whittle. All of them at that time wore high black hats. Lord Cawdor … was struck by the resemblance of a mass of these women to a body of regulars, and he called upon the daughters of Cambria to give a proof of their patriotism by marching towards the enemy in regular order. … General Tate acknowledged afterwards that they had been taken for a regiment of regulars, and the French troops … utterly lost heart.’
Anon, (editor), The Fishguard Invasion by the French in 1797. Some passages from the diary of the late Rev Daniel Rowlands, sometime vicar of Llanfihangel Penybont. (London, Fisher Unwin, 1892), pp. 131-132; The same wording appears in Margaret Ellen James, (Pantsaeson, Pembrokeshire). The Fishguard Invasion by the French in 1797. Some passages from the diary of the late Rev Daniel Rowlands, sometime vicar of Llanfihangel Penybont. (Western Mail, London and Cardiff, 1897, Centenary edition), pp. 70-71; also in ‘A Hundred Years Ago’, Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), February 24, 1897.
[This is a fictional account, based on a few original documents and the memories of some elderly women of Fishguard whom the author knew.]
Margaret James also translated and transcribed the orders from General Hoche to Col. Tate on how to organise the invasion. (NLW ms 5406D)
The women probably wore red whittles but not tall ‘Welsh’ hats which did not appear until the 1830s.
1894
The story of women parading in their red whittles is not restricted to Fishguard. There is a similar story in Machynys near Llanelli and Brixham cliffs, Torquay, Devon (Exeter Evening post).
Western Mail July 25, 1894
1897
[At the centenary celebrations in 1897, about 100 women in Welsh hats and red cloaks marched through the town and the Last Invasion Tapestry, at Fishguard, created for the bicentenary in 1997, shows women in tall hats and red cloaks. The medallion produced to celebrate the centenary of the invasion shows women in cloaks and tall hats.]
INVASION BY THE FRENCH – CENTENARY AT FISHGUARD
Distinctive dresses, whittles and sashes were worn by several ladies present.
Western Mail, February 25, 1897
Photograph: Welsh Ladies in the French Centenary Procession at Fishguard in 1897
This photographs records the largest number of Welsh hats at any known event and it is likely that most of the hats were old ones, carefully preserved by their owners. Other photographs of large groups of women wearing Welsh hats in the north Pembrokeshire and south Ceredigion suggest that many more hats survived in this area than anywhere else in Wales.
NLW, Album 1048, PB7441
1897
FRENCH INVASION. FISHGUARD CELEBRATIONS
Since the mooting of these festivities much has been read in the papers of the red whittles worn by the women of Fishguard with such surprising effect on the day of the invasion, but few have seen this characteristic Welsh article of attire to such advantage until to-day, when 89 ladies bloomed out at every turning in a mass of red and plaid.
Following the band came the ladies in Welsh costume. What a sight for a Cymru Fyddite! To be truthful, they inspired the visitors with a feeling the very antithesis of fear. The formidable pitchforks several of them carried did certainly make them appear a dangerous array to tackle. But, really, they were a galaxy of smiling beauty on good terms with the world in general, a very different picture to that made by their prototypes we have read of who struck terror into the hearts of the trained men, and showed determination worthy of the Amazons of old. But if there is a prophecy which could be safely pronounced, it is that today’s contingent of fair ones, if situated in similar circumstances, would show as brave a spirit as their grandmothers did, and would unhesitatingly enter into the work of defence. The thought that first occurred to me when I saw the young ladies together was that they must have had great difficulty in getting hold of so many Welsh chimney-pot hats, the beaver of most of them being in good condition. Inquiries, however, showed that this was not so. It seems that there are hundreds and hundreds in North Pembrokeshire. Although now quite a novelty as outdoor headgear, the old people jealously preserve “Yr hen hat fawr.” To them nothing would appear so profane as the destruction of a grandmother’s hat. I joined the procession in the conveyance of Dr. Lawlor Swete, the most energetic secretary of the movement, and in this way gained the interesting bit of news that one of the fascinating Deborahs wore a whittle and hat that had actually been used over 100 years ago on Cerrig-Gwastad rocks. Mrs Mason, Prospect House. Fishguard, had prevailed upon “Nanny Ffynon Carn” to lend them, and that lady showed them of to advantage. Had the generality of the people known of the existence of so interesting a relic amongst the many in the profession the wearer would undoubtedly have had a very tantalising time of it. Two young gentlemen of hilarious proclivities had also turned out in full Welsh costume, the “Gwn bach” not excepted, but their comparatively clumsy gait and elephantine waists betrayed them. After all, they leavened the apparent harmlessness of the 89, who were marshalled by Mr James.
Evening Express 7.7.1897
[1989]
Geraint H. Jenkins, ‘Glaniad y Ffrancod yn Abergwaun ym 1797’, Cell gymysg o’r Genedlaethol : darlithoedd a draddodwyd i’r Gymdeithas Feddygol 1976-1987, (Cerrigydrudion : Y Gymdeithas Feddygol 1989), pp. 103-112; Cadw Tŷ Mewn Cwmwl Tystion, ysgrifau hanesyddol ar grefydd a diwylliant, (1990), pp. 256–272
Welsh Costume / Gwisg Gymreig 