Gautiers at the battle of Bouvines - 1214

 

Gautier de Nemours fought at the side of King Philippe Auguste at the battle of Bouvines (27 July 1214). 

As the King rests in the shadow of an ash tree, his brother Guérin arrives with news: Although this is the day of the Lord (27 July 1214 fell on a Sunday), the battle will take place. The King rises to the occasion; adjusts his coat of mail, addresses a short prayer in the chapel dedicated to Saint-Pierre.  

The two armies are lined up in battle order of three groups each. At the center of the French army, Philippe Auguste, surrounded by his best knights, Guillaume des Barres, Barthélémy de Roye, Gérard la Truie, Guillaume de Garlande, Enguerrand de Coucy and Gautier de Nemours.  

Three Flemish knights, Gautier de Ghistelle, Buridan and Eustache de Malenghin defy their adversaries...and are defeated then captured; Gautier, who keeps crying "To the death, death to the Frenchmen" gets his throat cut. 

Then, it is the turn of Count Gautier de Saint-Pol, helped by his knights, to charge the Flemish; such a ferocious charge that it breaks the enemy lines. He turns his horse, charges again, so on and so on until he’s out of breath.