Battle of Cassel (1071)

Cassel (French pronunciation: [kasɛl]; Dutch: Kassel) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times. It was developed by the Romans into an important urban centre and was the focus of a network of roads, which are still in use today, that converge on the hill. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cassel became an important fortified stronghold for the rulers of Flanders which was repeatedly fought over before finally being annexed to France in the 17th century. It was the headquarters of Marshal Ferdinand Foch during part of the First World War. In 1940, during the German invasion of France, Cassel was the scene of a fierce three-day battle between British forces (led in part by Major Ronald Cartland, MP) and German forces which resulted in much of the town being destroyed. The town, which was rebuilt following the war, is a popular destination for visitors to French Flanders. It is renowned for its extensive views from the summit of Mont Cassel and is the location of the Nord department's principal museum of local art, history and folklore. It is also the home of the legendary giants Reuze-Papa and Reuze-Maman, which are paraded in effigy each Easter during the town's annual carnival.

The Battle of Cassel, also known as the Battle of Peene, took place on 11 April 1677 during the Franco-Dutch War, near Cassel, 15 km (9 mi) west of Saint-Omer. A French army commanded by the duc de Luxembourg defeated a combined Dutch–Spanish force under William of Orange. At the start of 1677, peace negotiations opened at Nijmegen; France already held most of the positions in the Spanish Netherlands that Louis XIV of France considered necessary for a defensible border. This would be completed by taking St-Omer and Cambrai, which he wanted to capture as soon as possible, allowing him to negotiate from a position of strength. While William could not save St-Omer, he was determined to fight for Cambrai, leading to the battle outside Cassel. After initial cavalry attacks by both sides were repulsed, a fierce struggle began between the two sets of infantry. The French infantry on the right drove back the Dutch left, which was then scattered by a French cavalry assault. Meanwhile, an Allied attack launched from their own right was fended off by the French left. In the centre, the Dutch nearly broke through the French lines, before being thrown back by a cavalry charge led by Philippe of Orléans. His flanks crumbling, in late afternoon William ordered a retreat. Although the French missed an opportunity for a rout by delaying their pursuit to plunder the Allies' abandoned baggage, Cassel was one of the most comprehensive victories of the war. Saint-Omer and Cambrai surrendered shortly afterwards, followed by a number of other towns.

The Houtland (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦʌutˌlɑnt] ; French pronunciation: [utlɑ̃d]; Flemish for "Woodland") is a region in French Flanders which is a part of the French Westhoek, in the Nord department of France. In the region, like the rest of French Flanders, French Flemish is historically spoken but in decline. In contrast to the name, a lot of the region is used for agricultural purposes. The highest hill is Kasselberg (French: Mont Cassel), on which Cassel is located, with a height of 176 meter.

Oxelaëre (French pronunciation: [ɔksəlaʁ]; from Flemish; Okselare in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Sainte-Marie-Cappel (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃t maʁi kapɛl]; West Flemish: Sint-Maria-Kapel) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.The small river Peene Becque has its source in Sante-Marie-Cappel.

Bavinchove (French pronunciation: [bavɛ̃kɔv]; from Dutch; Bavinkhove in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Terdeghem (French pronunciation: [tɛʁdəɡɛm]; from Flemish; Terdegem in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Hondeghem (French pronunciation: [ɔ̃dɡɛm]; from Flemish; Hondegem in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Staple (French pronunciation: [stapl]) is a commune in the Nord department in the region of Hauts-de-France in northern France.

The Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre is a brewery in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of northeast France. Brewing in the town of Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel dates back to at least 1600, although the troubled history of Flanders has interrupted business several times.

Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ silvɛstʁ kapɛl]; Dutch Sint-Silvesterkappel) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Wallon-Cappel (French pronunciation: ​[walɔ̃ kapɛl]; Dutch: Waalskappel) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.