Battle of Roosebeke
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| Battle of Roosebeke | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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| Combatants | |||||||
| France Count of Flanders |
Flemish towns led by Ghent | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Charles VI of France Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy |
Philip Van Artevelde (killed) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 16,000 | 14,000 | ||||||
| Casualties | |||||||
| unknown | higher than the French casualties | ||||||
The Battle of Roosebeke (sometimes referred to as the Battle of Westrozebeke) took place on November 27th 1382 on the Goudberg (golden mountain) between a Flemish army under Philip van Artevelde and a French army under Louis II of Flanders who had called upon the help of the French king Charles VI after he had suffered a defeat during the Battle of Beverhoutsveld. The Flemish army was defeated, Philip van Artevelde was slain and his corpse was put on display.
Contents |
[edit] Prelude
Philip II had ruled the council of regents from 1380 till 1388, and ruled France during the childhood years of Charles VI, who was Philips nephew. He deployed the French army in Westrozebeke to suppress a Flemish rebellion led by Philip van Artevelde, who intended to dispose of Louis II of Flanders. Philip II was married to Margaret of Flanders one of Louis' daughters.
[edit] The Battle
The French had assembled a strong force in November and even though the contemporary sources greatly exaggerate its numbers (50,000 to 80,000), it was clear that van Artevelde's army was outnumbered. At this time he was laying siege to the village of Oudenaarde but lifted the siege to make camp on a hill, the Goudberg, situated between Oostnieuwkerke and Passendale. The French troops lay on the other side of the hill.
On the morning of November 27th van Artevelde planned to make use of the dense fog and attack the French. To prevent a breakthrough by enemy cavalry he ordered his men to advance in a tight square formation. The French had not forgotten the Battle of the Golden Spurs, and first engaged the Flemings with a wave of infantry. Van Artevelde managed to repel that attack and decided to attack the French.
The French commander, Olivier de Clisson, reacted by attacking his opponents unsecured flanks with heavy cavalry. This caused a panic in the Flemish rear which started to flee. The main body of Flemish troops had no other option than to form a circle. They were pushed back and eventually defeated and Philip van Artevelde was killed.
[edit] Aftermath
Philip II could not gain any advantage from this victory. He would become count of Flanders late January 1384 and needed the economical power of Ghent (A rebellious town). The rebellion lasted till December 8th 1385, when the peace of Tournai was signed.
