In 1667, Louis XIV embarked on the War of Devolution to assert his claim to the Spanish Netherlands. With the Treaty of Pyrenees between France and Spain, King Philip IV of Spain was required to not only cede territories to France, but was also required to consent to the marriage of his daughter, Maria Theresa of Spain, to Louis XIV. Maria Theresa renounced all rights to her father's inheritance, and dowry of 500,0000 gold écus was promised. Upon the death of Philip in 1665, Louis immediately laid claim to parts of the Spanish Netherlands, asserting that his wife's claims to her father's properties had devolved to her since the promised dowry had never been paid. Furthermore, Maria Theresa was a result of Philip's first marriage, whereas the Spanish heir, Charles II, was a result of Philip's second marriage. Queen Mariana of Spain, running the government for her underage son, did not agree with these claims.

After raising new troops, Louis deployed them in the spring of 1667 to invade territories in the Spanish Netherlands, which was not prepared for war and was not expectant of reinforcements from Spain. The French forces crossed the border on May 24 and began to take several cities. Among these was Tournai, located near the river Scheldt (called the Scaldis in ancient times), which the main French forces reached and surrounded on June 21. The city surrendered shortly thereafter, and the French entered it on June 25. Additionally, the city of Courtrai, near the river Lys, was attacked and subsequently conquered on July 18. As France continued its march, a Triple Alliance formed consisting of England, Sweden, and the Dutch Republic on the side of Spain. The war ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, signed on May 2, 1668, and the cities of Tournai and Courtrai were among twelve that France retained its claims to following this treaty.