A member of the Breton Nobility, Hervé de Portzmoguer seems to have been born in the family manor of the same name located in the village of Plouarzel, on the border of steep cliffs at the Point of Corsen.
Unfortunately, a lack of documents does not make it possible to specify his date of birth, which is estimated to have been around 1470. He is known in Breton history under the name of Primauguet.
Pirate or Privateer
Hervé de Portzmoguer was a bold navigator and ship captain. He was racing at sea on behalf of the King of France and sometimes for his own interests and that of his crew. In fact, due to his activities, he was pursued for piracy. He captured enemy ships and stole their goods. He sailed the seas and mainly attacked British ships which provoked England’s anger, although the British Admiralty was never able to capture him.
The confidence of the Queen
News of his achievements arrived at the court of the King of France where Hervé de Portzmogeur’s name was changed to Primauguet. His fame caught the attention of Anne of Brittany, Queen of France, who met him in Morlaix during her voyage in Brittany in 1505. She then entrusted him with the responsibility of commanding the remarkable ship which she had ordered to be built in the Bay of Morlaix : the “Marie-Cordelière”
With this superb ship built by Nicolas de Coetanlem, nephew of Jehan de Coetanlem, Primauguet continued to badger the ships of the British Navy, which, in reprisal, took advantage of his presence in the Bay of Biscay to carry out a landing party close to his manor home in Plouarzel, in order to entirely destroy it.
An on-board Festivity
Later, on the 10th of August 1512, the “Marie-Cordelière” was in the port of Brest. A festivity took place on board the ship and many representatives of the Breton nobility were among the guests. During the festivity it was announced that an English squadron was heading towards Brest. The crew were sent to their battle stations, and all available ships left their moorings. Many of the guests of Primauguet decided to remain on board.
The battle was hard fought off the coast of the Point Saint Mathieu. The “Marie-Cordelière” quickly put two English ships out of service and tried to board the most powerful English ship : the “Regent”. The conflict was unequal.
A glorious end
During the hand-to-hand battle, the English ship “Regent” received reinforcements from other ships while the “Marie-Cordelière” remained alone and its crew members were gradually decimated. Suddenly, a tremendous explosion ripped apart the two ships which were hung together, and debris and fighting men were projected in all directions. The explosion caused 2000 victims including Primauguet and many members of the Breton nobility, and put an end to this particular naval battle.
Since then, the French Navy has honoured the memory of Primauguet by successively giving his name to six ships, the last of which was commissioned in 1986 and was sponsored by the Canton of Saint-Renan.
Up to now, expeditions to find the remains of the wreck of the “Marie-Cordelière” have been unsuccessful.
Pierre
