During its 200 year history, the place was held by the Spanish Empire, Kingdom of France, Habsburg Austria and the Dutch Republic.

The existing defenses were improved in 1678 by the famous military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban.

Control of the fort and other strong places in the Austrian Netherlands was a key feature of the so-called Barrier Treaty in 1713.

The site of Fort Knokke is at the confluence of the Yser River and the Ypres Canal (Ieperlee) in the municipality of Lo-Reninge.

King Louis XIV of France wanted a double line of fortresses to protect the northern border of his kingdom.

After detaching 11 squadrons of cavalry to join Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria's forces at Ninove, the army moved south on 10 June to threaten the French lines.

[3] On 19 June 1695 the Duke of Württemberg with 3,000 soldiers and supporting artillery advanced on Fort de la Knocque.

The Allies tried to expand their bridgehead, but were thwarted by French counter-measures and cannon fire from Fort de la Knocque.

[3] It is assumed that the move against Fort de la Knocque was a feint attack, intended to distract the French from the Siege of Namur which followed in July.

However, the author felt that it was a serious attack and not a feint, because the British and their Dutch allies were particularly interested in seizing places along the Flanders coast.

At the same time Eugene alerted Lieutenant General Robert Murray at Lille to hold some troops ready to assist in the coup.

La Rue's free company and some troops from Ostend stealthily took position in gardens near the fort where they caught and killed two sentries.

[2] By a unique arrangement, a line of fortresses in Austrian territory were handed over to the Dutch Republic to provide a barrier against future French invasions.

[6] On 26 June 1744 during the War of the Austrian Succession the fort was assaulted by 18 picked French companies under the command of General Boufflers.

The French employed units of the Piemont, Bourbonnais, Rohan, Royal, Touraine, Noailles, Orleans, La Couronne, Richecourt, Valenceau and du Roy Infantry Regiments.