The Siege of Ypres (1383), painted by Joris Liebaert in 1667 (St. Martin's Cathedral, Ypres, Belgium). - The left side of the painting illustrates the siege, while the right side portrays the procession honoring Our Lady of the Enclosure, to whom the city's successful defense was attributed.
The Siege of Ypres (1383) was a pivotal event in the Ghent War (1379–1385), a broader conflict between the rebellious city of Ghent and the Count of Flanders, Louis II of Male. The siege took place during the Despenser’s Crusade, an English-backed military campaign led by Henry le Despenser, Bishop of Norwich, under the auspices of Pope Urban VI. The crusade was part of the larger conflict between the Avignon and Roman papacies during the Western Schism, but in Flanders, it became intertwined with local struggles for power.
Supported by the English and their allies in Ghent, the besieging forces attempted to capture the strategic city of Ypres, a wealthy Flemish trade hub loyal to the count. However, despite initial successes, the siege ultimately failed due to strong resistance from the defenders and the intervention of a French relief army. The failed assault marked a significant setback for both the English and the Ghent rebels, reinforcing French dominance in the region and contributing to the eventual downfall of the rebellion.
