The Battle of Bouvines, July 27, 1214, was a medieval battle important to the early development of the French state.

In the alliances, orchestrated by Pope Innocent III, Philip Augustus of France defeated Otto IV of Germany and count Ferrand of Flanders so decisively that Otto was deposed and replaced by Frederick II Hohenstaufen. Ferrand was captured and imprisoned.

Additionally, the defeat led to their ally King John of England being forced to sign Magna Carta by his discontented barons.

Philip was himself able to take undisputed control of the territories of Anjou, Brittany, Maine, Normandy, and the Touraine, which he had recently seized from Otto"s kinsman and ally John of England.

Bouvines is in modern France between Lille (Rijsel) and Tournai (Doornik), and in the 13th century was in the county of Flanders.