Flanders in History

Tostig leaves England with his family and loyal followers and takes refuge with Count Baldwin V in Flanders.

Tostig took ship with his family and some loyal thegns and took refuge with his brother-in-law, Count Baldwin V

Tostig takes refuge in Flanders under the protection of Count Baldwin V.

Tostig obtains ships and assistance in Flanders before launching attacks against the kingdom ruled by his brother Harold.

Leads an unsucesful uprising against William the Conqueror. Forced to flee to Scotland & then to Flanders

Takes up residence in Flanders, whose count, Robert the Frisian, was hostile to the Normans

Arrives at Flanders to seek his exile

John's allies support action against Philip II's fleet, helping prevent a French seizure of Flanders.

Philip II defeats John at Bouvines to gain control of Flanders

John's coalition strategy collapses after Philip II defeats the northern allied army at Bouvines.

Under the Treaty of Bouvines France gains Flanders & wins the Imperial crown for Frederick II

Edward III strengthens ties with Flemish towns whose textile economy depends heavily on English wool.

Flemish weavers support Edward's claim to the French throne after a commercial Treaty

Edward III relies on Flemish political and commercial support during the opening phase of the Hundred Years War.

Edward III's naval victory at Sluys protects communications with allies in Flanders.

The English expedition in Flanders loses momentum after the killing of Jacob van Artevelde.

Of little significance and ended after three weeks when one of Edward's allies, Jacob van Artevelde, a former brewer and eventual governor of Flanders, was murdered by his own citizens

Leads an expedition into Flanders

Despenser leads an English expedition through Flanders during the campaign against supporters of the Avignon papacy.

Despenser's force attempts to press operations around Ypres before the expedition loses momentum.

The restored Anglo-Burgundian settlement fixes commercial conditions and gives English merchants renewed access to Low Countries markets.

Appointed Envoy to Flanders on a trading mission

Drake helps drive fireships toward the anchored Armada, forcing Spanish ships to scatter before the Gravelines fighting.

Howard keeps the English fleet close to the Armada as it moves toward the Flemish coast.

English naval pressure prevents the Armada from safely joining Parma's invasion army on the Flemish coast.

The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful

The English and Spanish fleets again engage off the coast of Flanders, the English again are more successful

Drake joins the pursuit as the damaged Armada moves away from Flanders into the North Sea.

Howard reduces close pursuit after the Armada is driven clear of Flanders and English ammunition runs low.

Cromwell commits English troops and naval support to joint operations against Spain in Flanders.

England will provide a fleet & 6,000 men & France 20,000 men against Spain in Flanders

Reynolds leads an English contingent sent to reinforce French operations against Spanish positions in Flanders.

Sent to Flanders with an Army of about 6,000

Sent to Flanders as the 2nd in Command of an Army of about 6,000

Morgan serves as second-in-command of the English force committed to the campaign in Flanders.

Morgan's English troops support the allied campaign that culminates in victory near the Flemish coast.

Marlborough advances through the Low Countries and forces French armies to abandon several forward positions.

Marlborough continues operations against fortified positions protecting French influence in the Low Countries.

Marlborough wages an inconclusive campaign against Villeroi in Flanders.

Marlborough breaks through the French Lines of Brabant, improving Allied access into Flanders.

Bruges passes into Allied control during the rapid campaign following the victory at Ramillies.

Marlborough exploits Ramillies as Brussels and other major towns submit to the Allied advance.

Marlborough exploits victory at Ramillies as many towns in the Spanish Netherlands surrender to the Allies.

Ghent submits as Marlborough rapidly exploits the collapse of French positions after Ramillies.

Marlborough's victory at Ramillies causes much of the Spanish Netherlands to fall under Allied control.

Replaces Marlborough as commander of British forces.

Receives orders not to fight major actions against France.

Withdraws British troops from Allied operations.