On February 22, 1797, a chaotic scene unfolded as 1,400 French soldiers landed on the shores of Fishguard, Wales, marking the last invasion of mainland Britain. Commanded by the audacious Irish American Colonel William Tate, this ragtag force comprised prisoners, deserters, and the remnants of the French army, ill-prepared and outnumbered. The French sought to spark a revolution against British rule, but they were met not by a fierce resistance but by the unexpected bravery of local militia and a determined cobbler’s wife armed with a pitchfork.

As the sun set on that fateful day, the French troops began their descent into chaos. The local militia, hastily assembled and led by the inexperienced Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knox, scrambled to counter the invasion. With fewer than 200 men, Knox was vastly outnumbered, but he rallied his forces to confront the invaders. Meanwhile, reports of the French landing spread like wildfire, prompting reinforcements to mobilize, including Lord Cawdor and his 700-strong contingent.

A night of drunken looting ensued among the French soldiers, further eroding their already fragile discipline. By dawn on February 23, the British forces advanced, their numbers bolstered by the local populace and the promise of reinforcements. The French, believing they faced a far larger army, were gripped by panic. In a desperate bid to save face, Tate sought negotiations, but the British commander’s bluff about troop strength led to an unconditional surrender.

By February 24, the last invasion of mainland Britain had crumbled, with Tate and his men capitulating at the Royal Oak pub. The aftermath saw the French fleet intercepted by the Royal Navy, sealing the fate of this audacious yet ill-fated expedition. Today, the legacy of this bizarre episode lives on, commemorated by memorials and tales of the remarkable Jemima Nicholas, the Welsh heroine who became a symbol of local resistance against foreign invaders.