In 1797, French ships captained by an American Colonel, landed in the Fishguard & Goodwick area with over 1,000 French soldiers. While the British forces were summoned, the country was reeling in debt, and the locals were forced to defend themselves from the drunken pillaging invaders until more support arrived. A woman named Jemima Nichols, with a pitchfork, captured 12 French soldiers forming the colorful history of this short-lived engagement. The women in Fishguard, years in advance of the bicentennial in 1997, embarked on an ambitious 50-ft tapestry telling the story. The needlework used only stitches consistent with the day and the detail is formidable. Two small panels are pictured.
