François-Athanase de Charette de La Contrie
Date of Birth
May 2, 1763
Date of Death
March 29, 1796
About
A former naval officer, Charette became one of the principal royalist commanders in the Marais and Bas-Poitou during the War in the Vendée. After the defeat of the main Catholic and Royal Army in 1793, he continued a more localised campaign against Republican forces. He signed the peace agreement of La Jaunaye in February 1795 but resumed hostilities in June, as the British-backed royalist expedition landed at Quiberon. The expedition failed, and Republican forces under Hoche gradually reduced the remaining Vendéan armies. Charette was captured on 23 March 1796 and shot in Nantes six days later.