The French king wanted revenge for the defeat in Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302 after which the Flemish retook Douai and Lille.

It was the combined northern force in Zeeland that struck the first blow on 10–11 August, when it soundly defeated Guy of Namur's army and navy at the Battle of Zierikzee.

[6] Philip of Chieti, son of Guy, Count of Flanders, had gathered a strong Flemish army to stop the French invasion and taken up positions on Mons-en-Pévèle.

The furious Flemish then decided to launch a frontal attack and surprised the French, who thought that the battle was over for the day.

After further minor engagements, the Treaty of Athis-sur-Orge was eventually signed on 23 June 1305 which recognized Flemish independence within the kingdom at the cost of the cities of Lille, Douai and Béthune,[5] which were annexed by to the French royal domain, as well as the payment of exorbitant fines to King Philip IV.