With his three brothers (the Chouan brothers), he fomented in lower Maine the Catholic and royalist insurrection which took the name of chouannerie. The latter was nicknamed Jean Chouan because he had adopted the cry of the owl as a rallying sign. The Chouans carry out a parallel action with the Vendeans, they act north of the Loire, in Brittany and even as far as Normandy, where they benefit from the support of the federalists. After the aborted landing of the English at Quiberon, the Vendée leaders were killed, but the Chouans who were dispersed took up arms again in 1799 with Cadoudal.
The nickname of Étienne de Vignolles dit La Hire comes from the fact that he was quite violent and angry (ire =anger). La Hire is one of the greatest fighters of his time. He met Joan of Arc in Orleans in 1429. He performed prodigies of valor at the battles of Jargeau and Patay; and approached Rouen