[1] In August 1403 a French force under Guillaume II du Chastel (died 1404) sailed across the Channel and mounted a bold raid on the Devon coast, in which they plundered and burned the town of Plymouth.
Consisting of vessels contributed by the shipowners of Plymouth, Dartmouth and Bristol, Wilford was appointed as admiral in command.
Crossing to the port of Brest, they captured six foreign vessels there and the next day took four more, holding cargoes of olive oil, tallow and iron.
Moving south-east to the island of Belle-Île-en-Mer, they seized a fleet of 30 to 40 ships from La Rochelle, carrying off about 1,000 casks of wine.
Heading north-west, Wilford landed troops on the promontory of Penmarc'h and advanced 18 miles (29 km) inland, plundering and burning villages on their way.