The anniversary of the bayonet

Bayonne, September 17. — Joining the initiative taken by the local committee of “French Souvenir”, the municipality of Bayonne is currently celebrating the 4th centenary of the siege of Bayonne, in 1523. The defenders of the city, with the motto “Nunquam polluta ", then repelled twenty-five thousand lansquenets of Emperor Charles V, commanded by Philippe de Châlons, the famous Prince of Orange. It was during this siege that we saw the women of Bayonne join the soldiers gathered on the ramparts and use, for the first time, this weapon of their invention which was called "Bayonnette". The origin of the bayonet therefore dates back to the year 1523. (Work.)