A Flemish Rebel’s Memoir

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The nobles tried to bleed us dry with their taxes, so we opposed them. As an answer, they threatened to take our property and bury us in unhallowed ground. When we rebelled, they realised they’d only get rid of us by killing us all.

They asked their French allies to help them. An entire army marched on Cassel – knights, trained soldiers, and mercenaries against us, Flemish peasants and burghers. Thousands of us died that day, and many were left mutilated.

But that wasn’t enough for them. After they won the battle, they burned down the entire city of Cassel. I can still hear the screams and smell the smoke.

They thought this massacre would end it once and for all. But we’re still here. We will lick our wounds and rise again. And sooner or later, we shall have our justice.