Breton counter-revolutionary who led the Chouans of the Morbihan and was executed for plotting against Napoleon
Born in 1771 into a well-off peasant family at Brech in Brittany, he turned against the Revolution after the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and rose against conscription in 1793. He joined the Vendéan army as a captain of the Breton companies under Bonchamps and fought through the Virée de Galerne to Savenay. Arrested in 1794 and imprisoned at Brest, he escaped and led the Chouans of the Auray country; in 1795 he brought Chouans to the Quiberon landing and in August became commander of the Catholic and Royal Army of the Morbihan, resisting Puisaye and the émigré officers. He made peace in 1796, fought again and refused Bonaparte’s offers. In 1803 he slipped into Paris to kidnap or kill the First Consul, was arrested and guillotined on 25 June 1804; the restored Bourbons made him a Marshal of France posthumously.
Also known as: Jorj Kadoudal
Activities and affiliations
Career Timeline
- 1793Captain of the Breton companies of the Vendéan army; Virée de Galerne
- 1794Arrested and imprisoned at Brest; escaped
- 1795Fought in the Quiberon landing; commander of the Catholic and Royal Army of the Morbihan
- 1800Lieutenant-general commanding the royal troops of Brittany
- 1803–1804Plot against the First Consul; arrested and guillotined
Related historical events
- 1789–1799French RevolutionChouan commander in BrittanyFought the Republic in Brittany and the Vendée from 1793 and kept plotting for a restoration under the Consulate until his execution in 1804.
- 1793–1796The War in the VendéeChouan commander of the MorbihanFought under Bonchamps through the Virée de Galerne to Savenay, then led the Chouans of the Morbihan and brought thousands of them to the Quiberon landing.