Neil J Conway Real Estate Attorney

05/03/2026

04/07/2026

In the midst of the Breton War of Succession during the 14th century, vengeance took an extraordinary form.

Jeanne de Belleville had once been a noblewoman of Brittany, married to the powerful knight Olivier de Clisson. But when the French crown accused him of treason and executed him in Paris, Jeanne believed the charges were political murder.

Instead of retreating into widowhood, she chose war.

Jeanne sold her estates and used the money to finance a small fleet of warships. According to chronicles, the vessels were painted black, their sails marked with a red lion—a symbol that soon terrified French sailors.

From the waters of the English Channel, she began targeting ships loyal to the French crown.

Her attacks were fast and ruthless. Merchant vessels were seized, crews were cut down, and survivors were sometimes deliberately released so they could carry the story of her vengeance back to port.

Fear became one of her greatest weapons.

Jeanne occasionally worked with factions allied to England, transforming a regional conflict into a campaign of maritime disruption along French trade routes. Her fleet was small, but speed, surprise, and knowledge of coastal waters made her raids difficult to stop.

For years she harassed French shipping.

But war at sea is unforgiving. Storms scattered her ships, resources ran thin, and French forces relentlessly hunted her down. Eventually Jeanne fled across the Channel and found refuge in England.

Her campaign ended.

But the legend did not.

Jeanne de Belleville became known as “The Lioness of Brittany”—a woman who turned grief into war and proved that even a handful of ships, commanded with determination, could shake the power of a kingdom.

04/07/2026

With Okicki Hockey – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉

04/07/2026

04/02/2026