Most of the major neighbouring towns, afraid of popular revolt in their own locations, sided with the Duke and he declared war on Ghent on 31 May 1452.

The Duke attempted to blockade the city by garrisoning surrounding towns, including Oudenaarde, which lies further up on the River Scheldt, which he put under the command of one of his leading captains Simon de Lalaing.

[2] The Ghenters transported a large amount of artillery by the river, described by one chronicler as including bombards, cannons, veuglaries, and serpentines.

[4] The defenders organised firewatch parties to counter incendiary projectiles launched into the city at night and tanks of water in the street to put out fires.

[5] The chronicler Enguerrand de Monstrelet stated that the common opinion was that more than 3,000 Ghenters were killed in the pursuit, while the Count lost only one man, a man-at-arms.

The final attack on the rebels was delayed by an embassy from Charles VII of France, peace negotiations, and financial difficulties in paying the ducal army.