Jemima Fawr

On this day in 1797 French soldiers landed at Fishguard in west Wales. On arrival they saw so many troops on the overlooking hillsides that they believed their army to be outnumbered and surrendered.

The thing was that there weren't any British troops in the area. What they saw were the women of the town in their traditional dress of red cloak and tall black hat. The women were led by Jemima Nicholas, a cobbler, who, legend has it, rounded up twelve French soldiers - admittedly drunk - singlehandedly with her pitchfork, and took them as prisoners.

Jemima became known as Jemima Fawr (Jemima the Great).

Ryan Davies was a popular comedian in Wales back in the 70s. Here's his take on the story.

Welsh mams never change.