Bouvines 1214: Philippe Augustus and the Battle for France

A detailed look at the battle of Bouvines, which saw Philippe II of France defeat the German and English coalition forces, changing the history of Europe forever.

In early 1214, a coalition of forces led by Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV and bankrolled by King John of England was assembled to challenge France's King Philippe Augustus. Its aim was to reclaim the empire that John had lost to Philippe over the past decade. A campaign was planned on two fronts: John's army in Poitou and Otto's army ...