I just read this story again a few days ago. The battle at Kortrijk in July, 1302 [Gulden Sporen Slag] was pretty much defining for the Dutch Belgian [Flemisch] national identity.
A low-class all-foot mob [konijnen vol met boter] outperformed the French army, loaded with the best horse-mounted knights available at the time. Only knights were allowed to carry golden spurs.
The Belgians were not very chivalrous [uncommon in these times] and butchered about the whole French elite including their horses. The day after they collected the golden spurs from the battlefield.
The event is legendary and heroic and a major chapter in military history. Here is the full story.
Jacques Brel [1929-1978] was from Belgium. He was not bothered by French or Dutch language.
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