Eustace the monk

See also: Eustace

Eustace the monk alias the Black Monk , (born v. 1170 with Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais - died the August 24th 1217, close to Dover, England), was one of the most famous Pirate S of the beginning of the 13th century, in the great tradition of the medieval outlaws.

Character out of the commun run, frightening and provocant, it seemed a long time a highwayman. But it was mingled with an episode with the first Guerre One hundred Year old, a long conflict between the Capétiens and the Plantagenêts, at the time of the wars between Philippe Auguste and Jean without Ground. It took part for one sometimes, sometimes for the other. Overcome and taken by the English, it had the head sliced in 1217.

Eustace the monk should not be confused with the Martyr Saint Eustace.

Biography

He was youngest wire of a noble family of Boulogne, and became Moine Bénédictin. In 1190, it leaves the Abbaye of Saint-Samer (or Saint-Wulmer, with Samer) to avenge his father, who has just been assassinated. According to its legend, it leaves to study the magic in Spain and, on its return, becomes the Sénéchal of Renaud de Dammartin, count de Boulogne, with whom it claims justice for his father. But, when Eustace loses his lawsuit, its grounds and its titles are confiscated by the count. Eustace breaks with this one and exerts his revenge against the count. He then foams the area of Boulogne and Hardelot, devastating the fields of the count, being caught some with his guard or stealing his horses, disguised under multiple disguises.

Eustace the monk becomes a pirate and a Mercenaire, establishing bases in the islands of the Manche and selling the services of its fleet with highest offerer. It had the reputation to be frightening and particularly effective in its attacks. It impressed so much, that the people made run a rumor saying that it could make his ships invisible at the time of the boardings. Of 1205 with 1212, it puts at the service king d' Angleterre and becomes to some extent the Admiral fleet of Jean without Ground, while continuing its acts of piracy. During years, it will foam the North Sea and will hold to ransom the ships which pass to its range.

In 1212, its old enemy, the count Renaud lends homage to Jean without Ground. Eustace is constrained to leave the England. It turns then to Philippe Auguste, king de France and is put at its service. This same year, it launches a raid on Folkestone, a coastal small town of the Kent, in England.

The July 27th 1214, Philippe Auguste gains the Bataille of Bouvines. Having succeeded in charming with the Plantagenêts most of their continental fields, he thinks of carrying the war in England. Against its adversary, Jean without Ground, it obtained the support of the Pape Innocent III. The fleet and the troops concentrate with Boulogne. By misfortune for the king of France, Jean without Ground reconciles himself suddenly with Sovereign pontiff. Forwarding is countermanded.

In June 1215, the English barons revolt against Jean without Ground, and offer the crown of England to the son of Philippe Auguste, which makes it possible to king de France to again dream to invade the England. This project is entrusted to courageous pirate.

Eustace is seen charged to establish a sea link between the insurrectionists and the royal troops. It should take Dover. It then makes build a castle extremely floating, roughcast Trébuchet S and other engines of wars. When this enormous mass advances in the middle of the English ships, launching projectiles in all the directions, panic settles in the enemy camp.

But, in 1217, the young whole Henri III having succeeded on the throne of England his/her late father Jean without Ground, a new attempt at invasion of the England prepares.

In August 1217, to go to unload troops in England, a French convoy leaves Calais, escorted by ten naves of war under the orders of Eustace the monk , with for objective joining the the Thames. The August 24th, close to Dover, the French fleet runs up against the English, higher fleet of number. At the end of a combat without pity, at the time of the battles of South Foreland - also called battles of Sandwich - the English fleet destroyed the French fleet. It was finished by it dream of Philippe Auguste. Eustace , him, is captured by the English, who know it well, and is decapitated on the bridge of the ship. Its head was driven at the end of a spade and was walked in trophy in all the south of the England. Thus perishes with the combat the first large pirate of the Côte of Opal.

Anecdotes

A anonymous Trouvère of the 13th century took as a starting point the history of Eustace to compose the Novel of Eustace the monk , a famous historical poem with the Moyen-âge, that the English, who are interested much in this history, have just translated into modern English (translation of Glyn Burgess), and whose new French translation is appeared in 2005.

In 1964, the Journal of Tintin published a cartoon, under the title Eustace the monk, corsair of the king , telling the history of Eustace.

See too

Related articles

  • List of famous pirates

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