2. “We Are Sorry, But We Do Not Speak French.”
Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302 was part of the Franco-Flemish wars. Near Kortjik, Flanders, some 8,000 French Knights were up against the 9000 ordinary people of the city militia. The French army was a well-equipped force of shiny knights. They had armored knights, esquires, crossbowmen, pikemen and everything else they need to rout the Flemish force.
The Flemish, on the other hand, were not even in a battle formation. They were armed with spears and maces. Thus, the French, confident in their own superiority attacked, but they were routed. The citizens, whom everyone considered unable to fight, simply destroyed the French army. All four of the French commanders were killed, and the famous army of Philip IV left with tucked tails. When Robert II, the Count of Artois, pleaded for mercy, the Flemish responded: “We are sorry, but we do not speak French.”
We can safely add this battle to the count. Simple citizens, albeit trained in the usage of weapons, to go against the glorious and seasoned French knights, and still win, is nothing short of heroic.
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