Frances dominates Flemish towns briefly

1297

Philip IV of France invaded Flanders in pursuit of its count, and French knights occupied Bruges, Ghent, and other towns. The occupation was heavy-handed and would soon provoke the popular uprising that led to Courtrai in 1302, but the flag was French for now. The French garrison's arrogance toward Flemish merchants and weavers planted the seeds of a revolt that would humiliate French chivalry.