Locations

It is difficult to determine the exact date of the foundation of Cassel but one thing is certain: it goes back to very old times. The mount, formerly called Kastellon was the fortress of the Gallic people of the Morins, that is to say well before the Christian era. The Menapians, the first ancestors of the Casselois occupied the northern end of Gaul. Later, the Romans invaded the country and stayed there for 5 centuries. Noted Castellum Menapiorum on the map of Peutinger, Cassel was in turn fortified by the Romans. Capital strategic point since it is the highest mountain in Flanders.

By this military position, Cassel was the seat of many battles:
1071: first battle of Cassel and victory of Robert Le Frison on the countess Richilde and the king of France Philippe I at the bottom of the mountain.
1328: Second battle of Kassel and defeat of Nicolas Zannekin and the Flemish communists, revolted against the count of Flanders: Louis de Nevers. The king, Philippe de Valois was the winner of this battle held near Hardifort. The next day, the city was ransacked and its inhabitants had to pay heavy taxes for years.
1677: third battle of Cassel (the most decisive for the future of Flanders) and victory of the troops of Philippe d'Orléans on those of Prince William of Orange