Battle of Bouvines
Bouvines, County of Flanders, Kingdom of France
What happened
King Philip II of France fought an alliance led by Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV, with Count Ferrand of Flanders, Count Renaud of Boulogne and William Longespée, all supported by King John of England. King John of England built an alliance to defeat King Philip of France and win back his lost lands. While John attacked from the south, Otto's army was to march on Paris from the north. Philip met Otto's army near Bouvines in Flanders, his knights broke the allied army, and Otto fled.
Why it matters
Result: French victory; Truce of Chinon Deposition of Otto IV. Leaders: Philip II / Robert II, Count of Dreux against Otto IV / Renaud of Boulogne. Why it matters: The victory ended the Angevin Empire, the English kings' lands in France, and made the French king's power secure. In England it left King John so weak that his barons forced Magna Carta on him.
What came next
King John handed Anjou to Philip and got a five-year truce. His angry barons forced him to agree to Magna Carta in 1215. Otto IV was later deposed as emperor.
Did you know?
A French knight, Mathieu de Montmorency, captured twelve enemy banners, and twelve eagles were added to his family's coat of arms.
Timeline
- 1180 CEPhilip II becomes King of France.
- 27 July 1214 CEPhilip defeats Otto IV and his allies at Bouvines.
- 1215 CEKing John agrees to Magna Carta.
- 14 July 1223 CEPhilip II dies at Mantes-la-Jolie.