Charles Philippe Larivière: The Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle (1839-1840)

(Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France)

A painting by the French artist Charles Philippe Larivière (1798 – 1876). This painting is part of the Galerie des Batailles (Gallery of Battles) in the Palace of Versailles. In this gallery are paintings of famous French military victories and busts of French officers. This piece shows the battle of Mons-en-Pévèle, fought on 18 August 1304 between the French and the Flemish. The battle was part of the Franco-Flemish War (1297-1305). The reason for the war was a conflict between the count of Flanders (Guy of Dampierre) and France. Officially the county of Flanders was a part of the French Kingdom since A.D. 843 but in practice it was largely, if not fully, independent from the French crown. A conflict arose between count Guy of Dampierre and the French king Philip IV of France who sought to strengthen the French monarchy and tighten his control over Flanders. Guy of Dampierre sought help with King Edward I of England and even arranged a marriage between his daughter Philippa and Edward, Prince of Wales. This prompted Philip IV to imprison Guy of Dampierre and his two sons and annex Flanders to the royal French domain. A French army was send to Flanders to conquer the county. Initially the conquest of Flanders had been relatively easy, but in 1302 the powerful Flemish cities rose up in rebellion. A large French army was crushed by the rebellious forces of the County of Flanders on 11 July 1302 at the Battle of the Golden Spurs. The French King however wanted revenge for the defeat in Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302 and invaded again in 1304. This time king Philip IV was more successful and managed to defeat the Flemish army at the Mons-en-Pévèle (although both sides claimed victory). Peace was signed after the battle in which Flanders was allowed to preserve its independence as a fief of the kingdom. Painting from 1839-1840.