Galleons are built in the King's shipyard from carefully selected oak timbers. The laying of each keel is a notable occasion marked by a great religious service as the keel is blessed. When the ships are launched there is much feasting and a holiday is declared. The Bretonnians love their Galleons and are intensely proud of them.[1a] Despite their size Galleons are swift, the skill of their crew enabling them to manoeuvre as well as many smaller vessels.[1a]