Battle of Montenaken

Tumuli near Montenaken, 50°42′35.23″N 5°9′30.07″E / 50.7097861°N 5.1583528°E.

Date	October 20, 1465
Location	Montenaken, near Sint-Truiden (present-day Belgium)
Result	Burgundian victory

Belligerents

Duchy of Burgundy

Prince-Bishopric of Liège

Commanders and leaders

Philip the Good

Raes van Heers

Strength

1,800

2,000-3,000

Casualties and losses

low

1,200

The Battle of Montenaken was fought between the forces of Liège and the Duchy of Burgundy on 20 October 1465 as part of the Second Liège War. Although outnumbered, the Burgundian force succeeded in routing the militia of Liège, inflicting heavy casualties.

The War of the Public Weal between Louis XI and many of his senior nobles began in March 1465. As a consequence, the Duchy of Burgundy found itself at war with France. Louis, anxious to find allies, entered into talks with the city of Liège, which had historical grievances with Burgundy, leading to a military treaty in June 1465. With the major part of the Burgundian army, under Charles, Count of Charolais, engaged in France, the Liègois declared war on Burgundy on 28 August. Despite having most of his forces committed in France, the elderly Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy rapidly assembled a force to defend his possessions against the attack of Liège.

The Liegois army, commanded by Raes de Lyntre, Lord of Heers was approximately 2-3000 strong, mostly infantry with some field artillery. The Burgundian force was about 1800 strong, mostly cavalry, not all of whom took part in the battle.

The Burgundian army, having confronted the Liège forces at Montenaken found themselves too weak to assault the defences. They therefore sent out raiders to burn the countryside in the hope of provoking the Liege troops to confront them. This was successful and a large Liege force, perhaps their whole army, met with a force of 3-500 Burgundian cavalry in open country. The Liege forces drew up between two tumuli, of which there are a number around Montenaken. The Burgundian cavalry charged but were beaten back by artillery fire. Regrouping, they charged again and were again beaten back. This time, however, their opponents pursued them. The Burgundians rallied again and charged a third time. The Liège army, out of its defensive position and disordered by pursuit was routed. 1200 men were estimated to have been killed in the battle and pursuit.

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