The last invasion of Britain occurred in the parish of Llanwnda, a few mileswest of Fishguard.

Wednesday, 22 February, 1797,was a fine spring morning. Thomas Williams of Treleddyn, St. David's, amagistrate, farmer and former sailor, noticed three ships of war and a lugger sailingnear the North Bishop Rock. So close to the shore were they that he was able to see the troops on board.

Laws, the historian, says, 'English colours were flying, but the old sea-dog was not to be gulled by that stale device.'

Recognising the boats as being French, Williamsgathered some local men to accompany him to Pencaer, watching the boats all the time.

In the afternoon, the French dropped anchor between Strumble Head and Fishguard. A passing sloop, the 'Britannia', on its way to Fishguard, was ordered to heave to and the sailors on board werecommanded onto the French vessels. Theysuffered no harm and came ashore with the French sailors.

Mr Mortimer, Trehowel Farm, at first believing the invaders wereBritish, prepared an excellent supper for them but,realising his mistake, he quickly retreated.

General Tate sampled the Trehowel beer andwas well pleased with it, butthe fourteen hundred men accompanyinghim soon began looting.

Laws records that 'geese were boiled in butter and washed down with large draughts of port wine'.

This wine, the cargo of a Portuguese vessel which had come to grief, was pillaged by the locals.

Perhaps this was serendipity, because once the French sailors were inebriated, they were in no condition to resist the Castlemartin Yeomanry under the command of Lord Cawdor.

Legend has it that the women of Fishguard, led by Jemima Nicholas, a cobbler, marched to Pencaer in their stove pipe hats and red shawls and were mistaken for a troop of soldiers by the French.

Any one who had suffered at the hands of the French was compensated by the government. An old lady in the area was still enjoying a pension in 1875.