Kortrijk and The Battle of the Golden Spurs
Kortrijk lies in the Belgian Province of West Flanders, on the river Leie. Kortrijk dates from Roman times, when it was called Cortoriacum. The city was destroyed by the Normans, and it was rebuilt in the 10th century by Baldwin III, count of Flanders. The town became an important centre of trade and at its height had a population of about 200,000
The river Leie comes from France and enters Kortrijk on the site of the "Broeltorens", two medieval towers that are the only remaining witnesses of the former city fortifications, destroyed in 1684 by the troops of Louis XIV of France. Both towers date from the 12th and 13th century. The region alongside the river Leie, between Kortrijk and the city of Deinze, is known for the flax production.
Nowadays, Kortrijk is a very dynamic city of about 80.000 inhabitants with a solid entrepreneurial image and flair. The KULAK University is a local branch of the K.U.L University of Leuven.
The town is encircled by remnants of ancient walls. Located in Kortrijk is a castle, a belfry tower, a 16th-century town hall, the Gothic Church of Our Lady, completed in 1211, which contains a famous Anton Van Dyck painting, "The Erection of the Cross". Also, the typical beguinage is one of the most beautiful in Flanders.
One of the most noteworthy monuments in Kortrijk is the "Maiden of Flanders", the monument erected in commemoration of the Battle of the Golden Spurs, that took place in Kortrijk on 11th July 1302.
The golden spurs of the defeated knights where hung in the Church of Our Lady of Kortrijk as a sign of triumph by the Flemish. Fact is that this victory over the French ensured the everlasting independence of Flanders towards France.
The Battle of the Golden Spurs was fought on July 11th 1302 near Kortrijk, between the rebellious Flemish towns, led by Bruges, and an army sent by Philip IV of France, who had annexed Flanders in 1301. The French were totally defeated. The spurs taken from the fallen French knights formed so huge a trophy that they gave the battle its name.
A French explanation of the terrible defeat was immediately given, intended to save the honour and pride of the French nobility; in Flanders the victory was glorified as a just reward for the bravery of the townsmen and the competence of their commanders. Unfortunately there were no impartial witnesses. Any account of the battle must therefore pay careful attention to the personalities of the chroniclers, their nationality, and their political and social leanings, as well as their personal sympathies.
The battle of 1302 between the army of French knights and the rebellious Flemish was the military apex of the rebellion against the attempts by the French kings to annex the County of Flanders.
The preface of the uprising happened on May, 18th 1302 when Bruges citizens, who had been exiled by the occupying French troops, returned to their city and slaughtered the French garrison.
Both armies counted around 10.000 soldiers. The French army consisted mainly of heavily armoured cavalry, whereas the Flemish one consisted mainly of infantry tradesman. On the 9th and the 10th of July the French tried, in vain, to take the city of Kortrijk. A man-to-man battle in the open had become unavoidable.
During the battle, the Flemish had chosen strategic positions, in between little streams and moors on an open plain, called the "Groeningheveld", thus making it difficult for the French cavalry to force a breakthrough.
The political fallout from Golden Spurs was significant. Dutch became the official language of Flanders, and remains so to this day. Administrative power tipped in favour of artisans and merchants rather than landed nobles. Moreover, a new era dawned as far as warfare was concerned: the military importance and effectiveness of the infantry had been made clear.
In the 19th century the commemoration of the Battle of the Golden Spurs became a symbol of the struggle for Flemish recognition in the French-dominated Belgian State (founded in 1830). Furthermore, in 1973 the 11th of July has been declared the official Flemish Celebration Day
First view on the menu and the people sitting inside gave us an indication of that this was one of the better places in the city. It was a place where people dressed up to go and eat on a Sunday together with ones love ones or with the whole family. The prices were in the high end of what I have seen in a place like this.
The waitress was very nice and sweet and guided us through the menu and answered our questions. We chose both something light; I had a César salad and my friend had a club sandwich; both dishes were priced at around 18 € each.
The food was good, no doubt but I think we both felt that this was in the steep end pricewise. Inside the restaurant was a bit dull; it was a place that wanted to look exclusive but ended up being without soul. All my points go to the service and the power of the sun that day
