Penmarch

PENMARCH, a village of western France in the department of Finistere, 18 m. S.W. of Quimper by road. Pop. (1931) Al the end of the peninsula on which it stands are fortified re mains of a town important from the 14th to the i6th centuries, which included Penmarc'h, St. Guenole and Kerity. The New foundland fisheries and the pillage by La Fontenelle in 1595 be cause of its cod-banks, caused its decline. The Gothic church of St. Nonna (early i6th century) at Penmarc'h, the church of St. Guenole and the church of Kerity (15th century) are of interest. The coast is very dangerous. There are numerous megalithic monu ments in the vicinity.

PENN, WILLIAM

(1621-167o), 1ritish admiral, son of Giles Penn, merchant and seaman of Bristol, served his apprentice ship at sea with his father. In the first Civil War he fought on the side of the parliament, and was in command of a ship in the squadron maintained against the king in the Irish seas. In 1648 he was arrested, probably on suspicion of being in correspondence with the king, and sent to London, but was soon released, and sent back as rear admiral in the "Assurance" (32). After 1650 he was employed in the Ocean, and in the Mediterranean in pur suit of the Royalists under Prince Rupert. When the first Dutch War broke out Penn was appointed vice-admiral to Blake, and was present at the battle of Sept. 28, off the Kentish Knock. In the three days' battle off Portland, February 1653, he commanded the Blue squadron, and he also served with distinction in the final battles of the war in June and July. He sat on the commission

of admirals and generals at sea, who exercised the military com mand of the fleet, as well as on the board of management. In 1654 he offered to carry the fleet over to the king, but in October he commanded the expedition to the West Indies sent out by Cromwell, which conquered Jamaica. He was not responsible for the shameful repulse at San Domingo, which was due to a panic among the troops. On their return he and his military colleague Venables were sent to the Tower. When released he retired to the estate he had received in Ireland.

He continued in communication with the Royalists, and in 166o had a rather obscure share in the Restoration. He was reappointed commissioner of the navy by the king, and in the second Dutch War served as "great captain commander" or captain of the fleet, with the duke of York (afterwards King James II.) at the battle of Lowestoft (June 3, 1665). Penn died on Sept. 16, 167o, and he was buried in the church of St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. His portrait by Lely is in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. By his wife Margaret Jasper, he was the father of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. Penn was one of the authors of the first code of tactics provided for the navy; it was the base of the "Duke of York's Sailing and Fighting Instructions," which continued for long to supply the orthodox tactical creed of the navy.

See the Memorials of the Professional Life and Times of Sir William Penn, by Granville Penn.