Battle of Cassel
Franco-Dutch War · Cassel, Flanders (France)
Summary
French victory of 10-11 April 1677, called the third Battle of Cassel or Battle of the Peene, during the Dutch Wars. The troops of Philippe d'Orléans and Marshal de Luxembourg defeated William of Orange's army (about 30,000 men), paving the way for the capture of Saint-Omer and the annexation of Flemish strongholds to France.
Historical context
On 10 and 11 April 1677, during the Dutch Wars (1672-1678), the French army of Monsieur (Philippe d'Orléans) fought near Noordpeene and Zuytpeene in Flanders against the allied Dutch, Spanish and English troops commanded by William of Orange. The stake was the relief of Saint-Omer, which Louis XIV sought to capture to secure his northern frontiers.
Tactics
On 11 April, Palm Sunday, William of Orange bypassed Cassel and deployed his army of 30,000 men between Zuytpeene and Noordpeene. Monsieur ordered Marshal d'Humières to attack on the right and Marshal de Luxembourg to advance on the left: the Dutch, caught in a pincer between the Peene Becque and Lyncke streams, fled toward Abeele then Poperinge around 5:30 p.m.
Consequences
The French victory led to the annexation of Saint-Omer, the chatellanies of Cassel, Bailleul and Ypres, and more broadly the Spanish Netherlands. Jean-Paul Le Flem gives about 5,000 killed or wounded, 3,000 prisoners, 13 guns, baggage and 60 colours on the allied side.