Battle of Axspoele

Battle of Axspoele
Date 21 June 1128 Location Ruiselede, near Thielt, Flanders 51°04′N 3°25′E / 51.06°N 3.41°E / 51.06; 3.41 Result Victory for William Clito
Belligerents
William Clito	Thierry of Alsace
Commanders and leaders
William Clito Riquart of Woumen	Thierry of Alsace Gervase of Praat Frederick Daniel of Termonde
Strength
450 mounted knights	300 mounted knights, 1,500 infantrymen
class=notpageimage| Location within Belgium

The Battle of Axspoele (sometimes Axpoele^[1] or Thielt^[2]) took place on 21 June 1128 on the landed estate of the lords of Axpoele in the County of Flanders between William Clito and Thierry of Alsace. The two men were rivals for the title of Count of Flanders. William had been appointed to the title by Louis VI of France following the 1127 murder of Charles the Good but Thierry, cousin of Charles, had the support of Henry I of England. In 1128, Thierry secured the support of a number of Flemish cities, although most of the nobility supported William.

Thierry led a force of 300 mounted men-at-arms and 1,500 infantrymen to Axspoele on 19 June to lay siege to a castle held by one of William's supporters. William was aware of Thierry's movements and moved with a force of 450 men-at-arms to raise the siege. On arrival he recognized that most of Thierry's army was infantry and decided to give battle. He positioned two-thirds of his force on a hill in sight of Thierry's army and held the remainder in reserve, hidden on the reverse slope. Thierry ordered his cavalry to attack; after a brief engagement William ordered a feigned retreat and his reserves crushed Thierry's pursuing horsemen. This caused panic among Thierry's infantry who broke and fled, with William's men in close pursuit. However, William's victory was short-lived, as he died around a month later from a wound sustained in another action, and Thierry became Count of Flanders.