Les Cochons de Crépy 2019

The name of the event comes from a medieval legend - the king Henri IV was laying siege to the nearby castle of Pierrefonds, so he decided to conquer also the town of Crépy, which was also rebelling against him at the time, supporting the catholic League against the hugenot king However, the town has been heavily fortified, a siege would have been difficult and a direct attack very costly, so the king decided for a surprise attack after dark instead. A troop of 100 soldiers scaled the ramparts using ladders and as they were approaching a postern, the scouts discovered two figures snoring in the grass - obviously the guards. The invaders decided to cut their throats in order to not risk getting discovered. The first soldier approached one of the sleeping bodies and hit it with his sword. Blood curdling screams started - the sleeping figures were not guards but a small herd of pigs and their injured cries now woke the entire town, triggering a general alarm. The invaders saw that the game is up and quickly retreated. Six months later when Henri arrived to Crépy again, things were different. The city has changed sides and now has opened the gates for him. The king, as a sign of good will, offered a golden piglet to the city, to be displayed on public occasions.