Jeanne de Belleville was a pirate from Brittany. Through the years, her name was overshadowed by male pirates and other high-ranking individuals. She is remembered as the “Lioness of Brittany” and as an example of a woman leading a naval war in medieval Europe.
De Belleville was born in Belleville-sur-Vie, Brittany, around 1300. She was born into Breton nobility and grew up with access to wealth
and education. She was married three times. Her first marriage was when she was
12 years old. Her third marriage was to Olivier III de Clisson, who was a
nobleman and military commander. Together, they had children and enjoyed the
upper levels of Breton society.
De Clisson came back from a failed military campaign against the British in 1343 only to find himself accused of treason by France’s King Philip VI, which was likely a political charge. He was executed in Paris without trial, his body was desecrated, and his head was displayed at the gates of Nantes.
This event initially caused grief for de Belleville, but she
turned this grief into anger. She vowed to dedicate her life to punishing those
who held responsibility for de Clisson’s death. She sold her estates to fund an
armed campaign.
She first led raids in Brittany against pro-France forces. She then purchased three warships, painting their hulls black and
installing blood red sails. She and her crew patrolled the English Channel for
more than a decade, killing high-ranking captives and sparing others so they
could recount her deeds.
While she was focused on her piracy, she sometimes aligned
herself with England, especially in the Hundred Years' War, when England and
France were fighting each other. During this time, she found safety and shelter
in English ports as needed.
She eventually grew tired of seeking vengeance, and she
retired in the 1350s. King Edward III of France gave her land and protection,
so she retired to England. She died in Hennebont, Brittany, in 1359, possibly
while she was visiting family.
De Belleville’s story has been memorialized in novels,
songs, and other forms of retelling. Her black ships with red sails have become
a symbol of vengeance, particularly on the ocean. While her name is not as
prominent as other pirates, she is still an important figure in history.
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