Battle of the Spurs

Battle of the Spurs
Part of the War of the League of Cambrai

Triumphzug Kaiser Maximilians, Georg Lemberger
Date16 August 1513
Location50°34′29″N 2°14′10″E / 50.57472°N 2.23611°E / 50.57472; 2.23611
Result Anglo-Imperial victory
Belligerents
England
Holy Roman Empire
France
Commanders and leaders
Henry VIII
Maximilian I
Henry Bourchier
George Talbot
Lord Herbert
Jacques Palice (POW)
Charles IV of Alençon
Louis d'Orléans (POW)
Chevalier de Bayard (POW)
Strength
30,000 overall, many fewer were engaged 7,000
Casualties and losses
Light 3,000 killed, wounded, captured, or missing
Battle of the Spurs is located in France
Battle of the Spurs
Location within France
Battle of the Spurs is located in English Channel
Battle of the Spurs
Battle of the Spurs (English Channel)

The Battle of the Spurs or (Second) Battle of Guinegate[1] took place on 16 August 1513. It formed a part of the War of the League of Cambrai of 1508 to 1516, during the Italian Wars. King Henry VIII of England and Emperor Maximilian I were besieging the French town of Thérouanne in Artois (now Pas-de-Calais). Henry's camp was at Guinegate (present-day Enguinegatte).[2] A large body of French heavy cavalry under Jacques de La Palice was covering an attempt by light cavalry to bring supplies to the besieged garrison. English and Imperial troops surprised and routed the French cavalry. The battle resulted in the precipitate flight and extensive pursuit of the French. During the pursuit, a number of notable French leaders and knights were captured. After the fall of Thérouanne, Henry VIII besieged and took Tournai.

  1. ^ (French: Journée des éperons, "Day of the Spurs"; deuxième bataille de Guinegatte)
  2. ^ English contemporary sources call the town "Turwyn".