On July 11 1302, the Battle of the Golden Spurs, or Guldensporenslag, saw a surprise victory for the Flemish militia over King Philip IV of France’s royal forces

In the morning of 11 July 1302, about 10,000 Flemish warriors stood on the Groeningekouter near Kortrijk, civilians, artisans and peasants, waiting side by side for the attack of the French army of knights. France two years earlier, Flanders had completely annexed and tried to subjugate the Flemish cities. The Flemish people, however, aware of their individuality, joined the resistance and stood up against the French aggression. That battle in 1302 is exceptional for two reasons: from a social point of view and from a military point of view.

The revolt arose from the people themselves, without the direction of a prince. The Flemish Count and his The most important lords were imprisoned in France. Only after the insurrection became general, the military leadership could be guaranteed by the count’s relatives who were still at liberty. But in the first place, this was the struggle of a people against a sovereign, the French king, and not the struggle between two sovereigns. De Liebaart – The Battle of the Golden Spurs

 

Battle of the Golden Spurs – Miniature
And Golden Spur Battle souvenir sheet
Issued by Belgium in 2002
Designer: Jacques Doppée

The name Guldensporenslag, or Golden Spurs comes from a story about how the victorious Flemish forces took, as spoils of war, 500 pairs of golden spurs from the defeated French knights.