Battle of Cassel (1071)

Battle of Cassel
DateFebruary 1071
Location50°48′02″N 2°29′18″E / 50.8006°N 2.4883°E / 50.8006; 2.4883Coordinates: 50°48′02″N 2°29′18″E / 50.8006°N 2.4883°E / 50.8006; 2.4883
Result Victory for Robert of Flanders
Robert succeeds Arnulf III
Commanders and leaders
Robert I of Flanders Philip I of France
Arnulf III, Count of Flanders 
William FitzOsborn 

The Battle of Cassel was fought in February 1071 between Robert I of Flanders (or Robert the Frisian) and his nephew, Arnulf III (son of Baldwin VI of Flanders). The battle was a victory for Robert, and Arnulf was killed in the battle.

Arnulf succeeded his father Baldwin in 1070 and was supported by his mother Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut. However, Robert challenged Arnulf's succession to the throne of Flanders and began rallying support mainly in northern Flanders (where the bulk of Arnulf's forces were located). Arnulf's ranks contained individuals such as Count Eustace II of Boulogne and Count Eustace III of Boulogne. Moreover, Arnulf was supported by King Philip I of France since Philip's aunt, Adela, married Baldwin V of Flanders. A contingent of ten Norman knights led by William FitzOsbern were among the forces sent by Philip to aid Arnulf.

Robert's forces attacked Arnulf's numerically superior army before it could organize. Arnulf himself was killed along with William FitzOsbern, while Richilde was captured by Robert's forces. However, Robert himself was also captured by Eustace II. Ultimately, Richilde was exchanged for Robert's freedom.

Robert became count of Flanders and ruled until 1093. He gained the friendship of King Philip by offering him the hand in marriage of his stepdaughter, Bertha of Holland.

Notes

  1. ^ Sources differ on the exact date of the battle. Historians Peter Rex and Eljas Oksanen state the battle occurred either on the 20th or 21st of February, while the historian Mark Hagger writes the battle took place on the 20th or 22nd of February. John Beeler, David Charles Douglas, and John France all state the battle occurred on the 22nd of February.

This page was last updated at 2023-01-04 04:28 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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