Battle of Roosebeke
The Battle of Roosebeke reaches its brutal climax as the Flemish rebels, led by Philip van Artevelde, are decisively defeated by the forces of Louis II of Flanders and the French army. The battlefield
Setting
A muddy, open field near Westrozebeke, surrounded by sparse, leafless trees and low rolling hills. The ground is churned up by the movement of soldiers and horses, with patches of standing water reflecting the overcast sky. The battlefield is littered with abandoned weapons, broken shields, and the fallen.
Characters
Philip van Artevelde
primary
A middle-aged, robust man with a strong, square jaw and a short, well-groomed beard. His face is marked by the hardships of war, with deep-set blue eyes that convey both determination and weariness. His shoulder-length brown hair is matted with sweat and dirt, and his skin is pale from blood loss. His body is muscular but now weakened by numerous wounds.
Louis II of Flanders
primary
A tall, broad-shouldered man in his late 40s with a face weathered by years of campaigning. His dark brown hair is streaked with grey, tied back in a practical knightly style, and his piercing blue eyes survey the battlefield with a mix of satisfaction and fatigue. A neatly trimmed beard frames his strong jaw, and a faded scar runs from his left temple to the corner of his mouth—a souvenir from earlier conflicts.
Flemish Soldier
secondary
A burly man in his late 30s with a weathered face, deep-set brown eyes, and a thick, unkempt beard. His muscular frame bears the marks of battle, with fresh cuts and bruises visible on his exposed skin. His left cheek is smeared with mud and blood, and his hands are calloused from wielding weapons.
Knight
secondary
A tall, broad-shouldered warrior in his early 30s, with a weathered face marked by a faded scar running from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone. His piercing blue eyes survey the battlefield with a mix of grim satisfaction and weariness. His dark brown hair is cropped short beneath his helmet, and a thick, well-trimmed beard frames his jaw.
Wounded Rebel
background
A young to middle-aged man in his late twenties or early thirties, with a wiry but muscular build typical of laborers and rebels. His face is streaked with mud and blood, his wild, unkempt hair matted with sweat and grime. His eyes are wide with pain and desperation, and his lips are cracked and dry. A deep wound in his side oozes blood, staining his tunic and the ground beneath him.
Dialog
Philip van Artevelde
So it ends here... in the mud. But Ghent will remember—
Louis II of Flanders
Deo volente. It ends as it must. You fought bravely, Philip, but rebellion bears bitter fruit.
Knight
The field is secured, my lord. Their lines are broken beyond recovery.
Philip van Artevelde
Aye, broken... but not forgotten. (coughing) The count’s peace is bought with our blood.
Louis II of Flanders
Enough. See him tended—if he lives, let him answer for his defiance before the court.
Knight
At once, my lord. (to nearby soldiers) Fetch a surgeon—quickly.
Philip van Artevelde
No surgeon... will stitch this wound. (chuckles darkly) Let the crows have me.