ar of his reign Philip gained a
victory over the Flemish "weavers" at Cassel, and laid all
Flanders at the feet of its rejected count.

In 1338 began the Hundred Years' War, arising from the claim
of Edward III of England to the French throne. Edward's most
important measure in preparation for the war was the
securing of an alliance with the Flemish burghers, whose
French count, Louis de Nevers, had gained nothing in their
affections through the humiliation of Cassel, which
confirmed his rule. The hated count showed his hostility to
Edward, as well as his spite against his own subjects, by
various petty acts which interfered with the commerce and
industry of both Flanders and England.

At last, by prohibiting the exportation of wool to Flanders,
Edward reduced the Flemings to despair and forced them to
fling themselves into his arms. Many of them emigrated to
England, where they helped to lay the foundation of
manufactures. But the Flemish towns burst into insurrection
and proceeded to organized action in the manner here related
by Guizot, who draws largely upon the narrative of
Froissart.

The Flemings bore the first brunt of that war which was to be so cruel
and so long. It was a lamentable position for them; their industrial and
commercial prosperity was being ruined; their security at home was going
from them; their communal liberties were compromised; divisions set in
among them; by interest and habitual intercourse they were drawn toward
England, but the Count, their lord, did all he could to turn them away
from her, and many among them were loath to separate themselves entirely
from France. "Burghers of Ghent, as they chatted in the thoroughfares
and at the cross-roads, said one to another that they had heard much
wisdom, to their mind, from a burgher who was called James van
Artevelde, and who was a brewer of beer. They had heard him say that, if
he could obtain a hearing and credit, he would in a little while restore
Flanders to good estate, and they would recover all their gains without
standing ill with the King of France or the King of England.

"These sayings began to get spread abroad insomuch that a quarter or
half the city was informed thereof, especially the small folk of the
commonalty, whom the evil touched most nearly. They began to assemble in
the streets, and it came to pass that one day, after dinner, several
went from house to house calling for their