Battle of the Golden Spurs
In 1838, Conscience published his second book, entitled "De Leeuw van Vlaenderen, of de Slag der Gulden Sporen" ("The Lion of Flanders, or the Battle of the Golden Spurs"). The book was set in Medieval Flanders and focused on the Franco-Flemish War (1297–1305). Its centerpiece was the Battle of Kortrik of 1302, commonly known as the Battle of the Golden Spurs ("Guldensporenslag"), in which a small Flemish force, made up of local militia, unexpectedly defeated a superior invading force from the Kingdom of France. In choosing the topic, Conscience may have been inspired by a romantic painting of the battle by the Flemish artist Nicaise de Keyser, unveiled in 1836.