Burgundy

The Renaissance state of Burgundy was a patchwork of territories that extended from the Netherlands to present-day Switzerland. Formed as a result of several historical accidents, the state survived for little more than 100 years. Nonetheless, it played an important role in the distribution of power in western Europe and left a legacy of great political, military, and artistic achievements.

The French crown acquired the duchy* of Burgundy in 1361 when its duke, Philip of Rouvres, died without an heir. The king of France named his youngest son, Philip the Bold (1363–1404), the first duke of Burgundy in the Valois line. Philip added to his realm when he married Margaret of Flanders, the heir to a wealthy county along the North Sea. Philip the Bold's grandson, Philip the Good (1419–1467), expanded the territory again. Through marital alliances, he gained various regions and duchies, including Holland, Zeeland, Brabant, and Luxembourg.

Both Philip the Good and his successor, Charles the Bold, worked to centralize rule in Burgundy, but the region lacked a sense of political unity. The various counties, duchies, and lordships that made up Burgundy were distinct parts of a larger whole. The regions had different languages, cultures, economies, and political systems. Geographically, however, the state of Burgundy served as a useful buffer* between France and the Holy Roman Empire*.

During the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) between England and France, the dukes of Burgundy took advantage of the conflicts between those two countries to promote their own interests. In 1415 John the Fearless sided with England against France, contributing to the French defeat at the famous battle of Agincourt in that year. John's son, Philip the Good, switched sides and supported France. The result was a French victory that largely expelled the English from France. Through such actions, the dukes of Burgundy turned their patchwork state into a significant European power.

Culturally, the Burgundian court came to rival the courts of Renaissance Italy in splendor and artistic display. The dukes of Burgundy actually maintained two courts: a Flemish* one in Brussels (now part of Belgium) and a French one in Dijon (in eastern France). Both cities became centers of artistic achievement, promoting the works of such artists as Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden. In 1430 Philip the Good founded the Order of the Golden Fleece, a select group of nobles who served as great patrons* of the arts. The Burgundian court became the greatest source of artistic patronage in northern Europe.

Burgundy came to a sudden end in the same way as it was founded. In January 1477, Charles the Bold, the last Valois duke of Burgundy, died in battle. His only heir was his daughter Mary. Louis XI of France, who had been at war with Burgundy, took the opportunity to seize control of Dijon. Mary sought support from the ruler of Austria, who later became Holy Roman Emperor as Maximilian I. The two powers became involved in a tug of war over the fate of Burgundy and eventually divided the state between them.

(See alsoDynastic Rivalry; England; France; Holy Roman Empire; Patronage. )

* duchy

territory ruled by a duke or duchess

* buffer

neutral area between two rival powers

* Holy Roman Empire

political body in central Europe composed of several states; existed until 1806

* Flemish

referring to Flanders, a region along the coasts of present-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands

* patron

supporter or financial sponsor of an artist or writer