Page 70 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

68 A CLASH OF KNIGHTS

WMEN 500–1500 THE BATTLE

OF BOUVINES

Although medieval rulers often launched military campaigns,

armies at Bouvines in 1214 was a rare clash between large
AND BO they were wary of pitched battles. The meeting of European
bodies of knights, a set-piece battle that epitomized the
fighting style of the era’s armored horsemen.

KNIGHTS In the summer of 1214, King Philip II stood on the defensive. Bodies of
knights lowered their lances and
of France faced an army led by the
charged the facing cavalry, their lances
Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV and
Ferdinand, Count of Flanders. The
shattering on impact, while some
two armies encountered one another
nobles sought out particular enemies
against whom they held a grudge.
near Bouvines in Flanders on July 27,
and engaged in battle. The French king Although knights would not shy
was accompanied by his feudal lords away from clashes with infantry, they
and their armed followers, and by preferred to engage their peers; it was
citizen militia from the towns. The sometimes seen as degrading to fight
Imperial army—Germans, Flemings, against opponents of lower social
and English—was similarly structured, status. However, soon such distinctions
ranging from noblemen to the armed were lost as a vast mêlée broke out
artisans of the Flemish towns. Both across the battlefield. Knights hacked
sides also employed mercenaries, at one another with swords, daggers,
fighting for pay or plunder. axes, and maces. Their mail armor
It was symmetrical warfare, the two and plate helmets were resistant to
sides fighting with the same weapons most blows, but horses were more
(mainly edged or percussion mêlée vulnerable: many savagely wounded
weapons), tactics, and military codes. mounts fell, bringing their riders to
Both armies were drawn up with the ground. Foot soldiers also proved
armored horsemen—nobles, knights, adept at unhorsing knights, snagging
and unknighted sergeants—on the their armor with hooks and spears.
flanks, and foot soldiers in the center. Philip himself was unhorsed by
The king and the emperor each placed Flemish infantry, and was lucky
himself behind the infantry in the to escape with his life.
midst of his household knights, who Eventually the French gained the
formed a cavalry reserve. The field upper hand, their horsemen emerging
was dotted with banners—a practical victorious. In the center, the emperor
visual identification for the different was overrun and his banner captured,
feudal contingents. The Imperial although Otto himself escaped the
army was larger, with around 25,000 field. The last of the Imperial forces
men against 15,000 French, but the to hold out was Renaud of Boulogne,
numbers of mounted men on each a doughty fighter who organized
side were similar, probably about 700 pikemen in a circle, keeping the
4,000. Philip’s army spread out thinly, French knights at bay using the reach
matching the length of the enemy line of their weapons. When they fell, the
to avoid being outflanked. battle ended. Three counts, 25 barons,
and about 100 knights were led off
CLOSE COMBAT as privileged prisoners: it was not
The battle began without clear plan or considered dishonorable to surrender
central command. Amid a cacophony and, because of the financial value
of trumpets, shouted insults, and of ransom, surrender was usually
prayers, some of the armies’ troops accepted. Thus, few nobles or knights
attacked, while others hesitated or fought to the death.