Battle of Gavere
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Gavere was fought near Semmerzake in Belgium
on July 23, 1453 between an army under the Philip III, Duke of Burgundy
and the rebelling city of Ghent
. The army of the duke came out victorious and around 16,000 citizens of Ghent died. The battle of Gavere was part of the Revolt of Ghent
.
. The battle was a consequence of enduring opposition in Ghent against the high taxes. When the city openly declared its rebellion, the Duke assembled an army of around 30.000 from neighbouring lands and brought it to Gavere. When the news reached Ghent, many citizens immediately went out to the battleground, forming an army of a similar size as the duke's.
In the beginning of the battle Ghent lost most of its artillery because of an explosion, and the battle did not go well. Ghent lost around half of its army, a considerable part of the city's population. It was feared the Duke would destroy the city completely, but when asked to show mercy he is said to have replied "If I would destroy this city, who is going to build me one like it?"
The battle broke the power of Ghent only temporarily, as in 1539 there would be another revolt against the high taxes under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
(see Revolt of Ghent
).
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on July 23, 1453 between an army under the Philip III, Duke of Burgundy
Philip III, Duke of Burgundy
Philip the Good KG , also Philip III, Duke of Burgundy was Duke of Burgundy from 1419 until his death. He was a member of a cadet line of the Valois dynasty . During his reign Burgundy reached the height of its prosperity and prestige and became a leading center of the arts...
and the rebelling city of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
. The army of the duke came out victorious and around 16,000 citizens of Ghent died. The battle of Gavere was part of the Revolt of Ghent
Revolt of Ghent (1449-1453)
The revolt of Ghent was a rebellion of the city of Ghent against the Burgundian Duke, Philip the Good and his officials. It lasted from 1449 to 1453...
.
Background
Ghent was the most populous, rich and powerful city in the Burgundian landsDuke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
. The battle was a consequence of enduring opposition in Ghent against the high taxes. When the city openly declared its rebellion, the Duke assembled an army of around 30.000 from neighbouring lands and brought it to Gavere. When the news reached Ghent, many citizens immediately went out to the battleground, forming an army of a similar size as the duke's.
In the beginning of the battle Ghent lost most of its artillery because of an explosion, and the battle did not go well. Ghent lost around half of its army, a considerable part of the city's population. It was feared the Duke would destroy the city completely, but when asked to show mercy he is said to have replied "If I would destroy this city, who is going to build me one like it?"
The battle broke the power of Ghent only temporarily, as in 1539 there would be another revolt against the high taxes under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
(see Revolt of Ghent
Revolt of Ghent
The Revolt of Ghent was an uprising by the citizens of Ghent against the regime of the Holy Roman Emperor and Spanish King Charles V in 1539. The revolt was a reaction to high taxes, which the Flemish felt were only used to fight wars abroad, in particular the Italian War of 1536–1538. The rebels...
).