By this act of timely clemency, orthodox priests were allowed to return to France, and they were even suffered to officiate in places where no opposition was thereby aroused.
While thus removing one of the chief grievances of the Norman, Breton and Vendean peasants, who had risen as much for their religion as for their king, he determined to crush their revolts.

The north-west, and indeed parts of the south of France, were still simmering with rebellions and brigandage.

In Normandy a daring and able leader named Frotte headed a considerable band of malcontents, and still more formidable were the Breton "Chouans" that followed the peasant leader Georges Cadoudal.

This man was a born leader.

Though but thirty years of age, his fierce courage had long marked him out as the first fighter of his race and creed.