He deployed the French army in Westrozebeke to suppress a Flemish rebellion led by Philip van Artevelde, who intended to dispose of Louis II of Flanders.

The Count surrounded the city, and when the citizens of Ghent asked for terms, Louis demanded that all men between the ages of 15 and 60 must present themselves with halters around their necks.

The men of Ghent determined to fight and on 3 May 1382, under the leadership of Philip Van Artevelde, they issued from their city and smashed Louis' overconfident army at the Battle of Beverhoutsveld.

[4] The French nobility, facing an incipient peasant revolt at home, felt forced to move against the upstart Flemish commoners.

The French royal party patched up its differences with the unruly citizens of Paris and mounted an expedition on behalf of the Count of Flanders.

[1] The army included King Charles VI and the dukes of Burgundy, Bourbon and Berry, lords Clisson, Sancerre, Coucy, and other notables.

Soon the bridge was rebuilt, the bulk of the French army crossed and the superior force quickly put the Flemish spearmen to flight.

The French commander, Olivier de Clisson, reacted by attacking his opponent's unsecured flanks with heavy cavalry.