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Battle of the Golden Spurs (11 July 1302)
On 11 July 1302 near Kortrijk, Flemish militia and guild troops routed a French royal army under Robert II of Artois.…
Timeline
- 1302Groeningekouter, near Kortrijk · FlandersRobert II of Artois led roughly eight thousand French knights and infantry toward Kortrijk to crush the Flemish revolt, expecting a conventional cavalry assault to break the rebel lines.
- 1302Groeningekouter · FlandersFlemish pikemen and crossbowmen from Bruges, Ypres, and other towns formed a dense formation behind streams and ditches, using goedendags and pikes to halt charging French cavalry in muddy terrain.
- 1302Kortrijk · FlandersThousands of French knights were killed including Robert of Artois; victors collected hundreds of golden spurs from the dead, giving the battle its enduring name and securing Flemish autonomy for several years.
Sources
- Battle of the Golden Spurs https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Golden-Spurs
- The Battle of the Golden Spurs (Courtrai, 11 July 1302) — Kelly DeVries (1996)