Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy

After the Kingships of Rudolf and Albert, the Habsburg's fortunes on the Imperial Stage diminished, but the family was still one of the leading Houses in the Holy Roman Empire, and their story is far from over.Time Period Covered: 1290-1440Notable People: Albert II of Habsburg, Rudolf IV of Habsburg, Leopold III of Habsburg, Frederick of the Empty Pockets, Ernst the Iron, Albert V of Habsburg, Frederick IIINotable Events/Developments: Birth of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Battle of Mortgarten, Battle of Sempach, Habsburg Acquisition of Carinthia and Carniola, Habsburg Acquisition of Tyrol, Privilegium Maius

When the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire chose Rudolf of Habsburg to be the new King of Germany, they were hoping that he'd be someone they could control. But Rudolf, despite being a minor Count from Swabia, would prove to be nobody's puppet, and over the course of his reign he transformed the fortunes of his family, and the Empire as a whole.Time Period Covered: 1250-1330Notable People: Rudolf I of Germany, Albert I of Germany, Ottokar II of Bohemia, Frederick the Fair, Ludwig the BavarianNotable Events/Developments: Great Interregnum of the Holy Roman Empire, Election of Rudolf I, The Battle on the Marchfeld, Establishment of Landvogts, Habsburg acquisition of Austria, Election of Adolf of Nassau, Election of Albert I, Double Election of Frederick the Fair and Ludwig the Bavarian

The Hanseatic League was a major player in Northern Europe for centuries, it dominated trade in the North and Baltic Seas, fought wars with rival powers, and dictated terms to princes. But the League was not a state, proto-state, or quasi-state, it was a collection of Merchants, Guilds, and Towns.Time Period Covered: 1143-1441Notable Events/Developments: Founding of Lubeck, Formation of the Hanseatic League, Hanseatic Boycotts of Bruges (1280-1282, 1358-1360, 1388-1391), Danish-Hanseatic War, The Confederation of Cologne, Dutch-Hanseatic War

Throughout the later 1430s, Charles I Duke of Bourbon found his influence at the court of Charles VII falling day after day. Bourbon was not content to take his sidelining laying down, and so he began to plot, and when that failed he plotted again, and when that failed...Time Period Covered: 1435-1442Notable People: Charles VII of France, Charles of Anjou Count of Maine, Charles I Duke of Bourbon, John Bastard of Orleans Count of Dunois, John II Duke of Alencon, Louis XI of France, Jean Louvet, Arthur de Richemont Constable of FranceNotable Events/Developments: Bourbon's 1437 Plot, The Praguerie, Assembly of the Princes in Nevers (1442)

When Philip the Good signed the Treaty of Arras, he hoped that he would be able to put all the years of war and strife behind him. However, the ill will built up over the years of Anglo-Burgundian alliance would be hard to surmount and the Duke of Burgundy is now on the lookout for allies at the French Court. Thank you to Emmanuel Dubois from the La Fayette, We Are Here! Podcast for reading one of Charles of Orleans poems. I will be speaking at the Intelligent Speech conference on February 8. Check out intelligentspeechonline.com for details and tickets! Time Period Covered: 1436-1440 Notable People: Philip the Good, Isabella of Portugal Duchess of Burgundy, Charles VII of France, Charles Duke of Orleans, John of Luxembourg Count of Ligny, Louis of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, Hugh de Lannoy, Cardinal Henry Beaufort Notable Events/Developments: Anglo-French Negotiations at Calais (1439), Rise of the Ecocheurs, Return of Charles of Orleans to France, Death of John of Luxembourg, Intercursus of 1439

As Philip the Good retreated from Calais, he found himself going out of the frying pan and into the fire. The militias of Flanders had mutineed and the county was on the brink of rebellion. Time Period Covered: 1432-1438 Notable People: Philip the Good, Isabella of Portugal Duchess of Burgundy, Roland d'Uutkercke, Jan Van Hoorn, Simon de Lalaing, Colard de Commines, Raase Rouven Notable Events/Developments: Revolt of Ghent (1432), Rebellion of Cassel (1430), Failure of the Siege of Calais (1436), Rebellion of Bruges (1436-1438), Terrible Wednesday of Pentecost

As soon as the ink was dry on the Treaty of Arras, the military situation in France was turned on it's head. The English position is now in free fall, and as they struggle to regain control, their former allies the Burgundians are only adding to their troubles. Time Period Covered: 1435-1437 Notable People: Philip the Good, Jean de Villiers Lord of l'Isle-Adam, John of Luxembourg, Charles VII of France Notable Events/Developments: Burgundian Volte-Face, Charles VII gains Paris (1436), Burgundian Siege of Calais (1436)

In mid-1435 delegates from England, France, and Burgundy converged on Arras to discuss ending the Hundred Years War. Time Period Covered: 1435 Notable People: Philip the Good, Cardinal Niccolo Albergati, Charles I Duke of Bourbon, Cardinal Hugh de Lusignan, Cardinal Henry Beaufort Notable Events/Developments: The Congress of Arras, The Treaty of Arras, Death of John Duke of Bedford

Philip the Good is tired of the Hundred Years War. He's tired of the destruction, he's tired of the death, and he's tired of his ally's inability to defend his lands. But the Duke of Burgundy finds himself trapped by an oath not to make a separate peace with the increasingly powerful French Court of Charles VII. Time Period Covered: 1431-1435 Notable People: Philip the Good, Charles VII of France, Cardinal Niccolo Albergati, Arthur de Richemont, Yolande of Anjou, Charles of Anjou Count of Maine, Charles I Duke of Bourbon Notable Events/Developments: Peace Conference of Auxerre (1433), Peace Conference of Siene-Port (1433), Fall of Georges de la Tremoille, Peace Conference of Nevers (1435)

In the years after the capture of Joan of Arc, the French continued their resurgence while the English struggled to hold on to what they had. As the tables began to turn, the Duke of Burgundy began to worry that he had chosen the wrong side in the Hundred Years War. Time Period Covered: 1430-1434 Notable People: Philip the Good, Charles VII of France, Henry VI of England, John Duke of Bedford, Arnaud-Guilhem de Barbazan, Antoine de Toulongeon, Charles I Duke of Bourbon Notable Events/Developments: French Coronation of Henry VI, Deterioration of Anglo-Burgundian relationship, Death of Anne of Burgundy Duchess of Bedford

As Philip the Good expanded his reach into the Holy Roman Empire, some Imperial Princes greeted him as a new ally, but others saw Burgundian expansion as a threat. Sigismund of Luxembourg, the Holy Roman Emperor, fell into the latter category, and throughout his long career he was a determined, if mostly ineffective opponent of Burgundy. Time Period Covered: 1421-1437 Notable People: Philip the Good, Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg, Rene of Anjou, Antoine de Vaudemont, Louis de Chalon Prince of Orange, Jean de Neufchatel, Arnold of Egmond Duke of Guelders, Adolph I of Cleves, Frederick of the Empty Pockets Notable Events/Developments: Battle of Anthon, Battle of Bulgneville, The Hussite Wars

Philip the Good was a prince of a European stature, and as such he interacted with the Church in a number of ways and on a number of levels. The Duke of Burgundy did his best to control the Church in his lands, influence the Bishoprics which neighbored his territories, and make his voice heard in Rome and in the emerging Council of Basel. Time Period Covered: 1430-1440 Notable People: Philip the Good, Pope Martin V, Pope Eugenius IV, John of Heinsberg, Rudolf von Diepholz, Guillaume Fillastre Notable Events/Developments: Utrecht Schism, Dinant-Bouvignes Conflict, Council of Basel

1430 was a banner year for Burgundian magnificence. Philip the Good's marriage to Isabella of Portugal and his founding of the Order of the Golden Fleece demonstrated the wealth, influence, and power of Burgundy. Time Period Covered: 1430 Notable People: Philip the Good, Isabella of Portugal, John of Luxembourg, Hugh de Lannoy, Antoine de Croy, Jan van Eyck Notable Events/Developments: Marriage of Philip the Good and Isabella of Portugal, Founding of the Order of the Golden Fleece

The late 1420s and early 1430s saw the rapid expansion of the Burgundian State. In this episode we'll trace the course of that expansion and explore just how the Duke of Burgundy was able to unite these disparate territories. Time Period Covered: 1430-1433 Notable People: Philip the Good, Jacqueline of Bavaria, Frank van Borselen, Philip of Saint-Pol Notable Events/Developments: The Treaty of Delft, Mortgage of Holland and Zeeland to the Borselen, Marriage of Jacqueline of Bavaria and Frank van Borselen, Death of Philip of Saint-Pol, Burgundian acquisition of Namur

Joan of Arc is gone, but she certainly is not forgotten. In this episode we'll explore the legend of Joan of Arc as well as the legacy of the Maid.

Joan of Arc's run of uninterrupted successes stalled before the walls of Paris in September 1429. Now there were those in the Court of Charles VII who wanted to sideline the Maid, but Joan was determined to continue the fight. Time Period Covered: 1429-1431 Notable People: Joan of Arc, Charles VII, Georges de la Tremoille, Pierre Cauchon Bishop of Beauvais, John of Luxembourg, Philip the Good Notable Events/Developments: The Siege of La Charite (1429), The Siege of Compiegne, The Inquisition of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc had arrived at the Dauphin's court claiming that she would relieve the Siege of Orleans and lead the prince to Reims to be crowned. After successfully chasing the English away from Orleans, it was time to get Charles VII his crown. Time Period Covered: 1429 Notable People: Joan of Arc, Charles VII, John II of Alencon, La Hire, Poton de Xaintrailles, Georges de la Tremoille, John Duke of Bedford, The Bastard of Orleans, Arthur de Richemont Notable Events/Developments: The Loire Campaign, The Battle of Patay, The Coronation of Charles VII, The Siege of Paris (1429)

The fortunes of the Dauphin were at a low point, Brittany had capitulated to the English, Maine had been conquered, and now Orleans was under threat. The collapse of Charles' cause seemed imminent, but he would receive a second wind when a peasant girl named Joan arrived at his court claiming to be sent by God. Time Period Covered: 1429 Notable People: Joan of Arc, Charles VII, Yolande of Aragon, The Bastard of Orleans, La Hire, Poton de Xaintrailles, John II of Alencon, Robert de Baudricourt Notable Events/Developments: The Battle of the Herrings, Rise of Joan of Arc, Relief of Orleans

While Philip was occupied in Hainault, Holland, and Zeeland the Hundred Years War still raged in France. The steady advance of the English continues while the Dauphinists, consumed by internal conflict, attempt to stem the tide. Time Period Covered: 1424-1429 Notable People: Arthur de Richemont, Yolande of Aragon, Charles VII, Jean Louvet, Tanneguy du Chatel, Georges de la Tremoille, John Duke of Bedford Notable Events/Developments: Defection of Richemont to the Dauphin, Fall of Jean Louvet, Rise of Georges de la Tremoille, The Siege of Orleans

Philip the Good and his cousin Jacqueline of Bavaria are locked in a struggle for the Counties of Holland and Zeeland. But this conflict between cousins is only one part of the partisan clash between the Hook and Cod Factions which has been going on for decades. Now the dynastic and factional strife has combined and a brutal civil war is being fought for the Counties. Time Period Covered: 1425-1428 Notable People: Philip the Good, Jaqueline of Bavaria, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, Walter Lord Fitzwalter Notable Events/Developments: Jacqueline's flight to Holland, Hook and Cod Wars, Battle of Brouwershaven, Treaty of Delft

Jacqueline of Bavaria is back in the Low Countries with a new husband. While Philip the Good, John IV of Brabant, and John the Pitiless are all arrayed against her, the Countess of Hainaut-Holland-Zeeland is going to fight for her Counties and now she has the English backing her up...right? Time Period Covered: 1421-1425 Notable People: Philip the Good, Jaqueline of Bavaria, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, John IV of Brabant, Philip of Saint-Pol, John Duke of Bedford, John the Pitiless Notable Events/Developments: Marriage of Jacqueline of Bavaria and Humphrey of Gloucester, Death of John the Pitiless, The Hook and Cod Wars

The King is dead, long live the King...whoever that might be. After the deaths of Henry V of England and Charles VI of France, the Duke of Bedford took the lead in continuing the Lancastrian conquest of France. Bedford's opponent, Charles VII, led a rump state in the south, known derisively as the Kingdom of Bourges. Philip the Good remained with the English after the death of Henry V, but his commitment to the cause was flagging, something noticed by both Bedford and Bourges. Time Period Covered: 1422-1424 Notable People: Philip the Good, John Duke of Bedford, Charles VII of France, John V Duke of Brittany, Arthur de Richemont, Anne of Burgundy, Margaret of Burgundy Notable Events/Developments: Treaty of Amiens (1423), Battle of Cravant, Battle of Vernuil

With the Treaty of Troyes, the English and Burgundians have come together to defeat the Dauphinists. But that's easier said than done, once the actual work of war and conquest began, difficulties popped up almost immediately. Time Period Covered: 1421-1422 Notable People: Philip the Good, Henry V of England, Charles VI of France, Charles VII of France, Jacques d'Harcourt, Tanneguy du Chatel, John Stewart Earl of Buchan, Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Notable Events/Developments: Creation of the Army of Scotland, Battle of Bauge, Rebellion of Jacques d'Harcourt, Battle of Mons-en-Vimeu, Fall of La Charite to the Dauphinists

In the wake of the assassination of John the Fearless, the Burgundians came to the conclusion that no peace could be made with the Dauphin. Instead the Duke of Burgundy and his followers decided to throw their lot in with the English and sign the controversial Treaty of Troyes. Time Period Covered: 1419-1420 Notable People: Philip the Good, Henry V of England, Queen Isabeau, Charles VI of France

Between 1415 and 1419, the third generation of Burgundians came to power in the Low Countries. In this episode we'll explore the early careers of the grandchildren of Philip the Bold: Philip the Good, Jacqueline of Bavaria, John IV of Brabant, and Philip of Saint-Pol. Time Period Covered: 1415-1421 Notable People: Philip the Good, Jacqueline of Bavaria, John IV of Brabant, John the Pitiless, Philip of Saint-Pol, Bonne of Artois Notable Events/Developments: Hook and Cod Wars, Conflict between John the Pitiless and Jacqueline of Bavaria, Marriage of John IV of Brabant and Jacqueline of Bavaria

Throughout the later Middle Ages, the County of Holland was consumed by partisan fighting. These factions, the Hooks and Cods, arose from a power struggle between Margaret of Avesnes and her son William I of Bavaria. The fight between mother and son would only last a few years, but the factional strife would continue for over a century. Time Period Covered: 1299 - 1417 Notable People: John II of Avesnes, William II of Avesnes, Margaret of Avesnes, William I of Bavaria, Jan Van Arkel Bishop of Utrecht, Albert of Bavaria, William II of Bavaria, Jan V Van Arkel Notable Events: Bavarian Inheritance of Hainault-Holland-Zeeland, Formation of the Hook and Cod factions, The Hook and Cod Wars, The Arkel War

In the later middle ages, the House of Wittelsbach, rulers of Bavaria and the Palatinate, competed with the Houses of Luxembourg and Habsburg for land, power, and the Imperial Throne. Time Period Covered: 1273 - 1410 Notable People: Ludwig IV the Bavarian, Rupert of the Palatinate, Rudolph I of Bavaria, Frederick the Fair, Pope John XXII, Pope Clement VI, Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, Emperor Charles IV

The Rapondi were Philip the Bold and John the Fearless' favorite bankers. They funded everything from the day-to-day operations of the Burgundian Court to the Nicopolis Crusade to John's armies in the Civil War. For more on the Rapondi Company check out Bart Lambert's Book The City, The Duke, and Their Banker.

Christine de Pizan was the favorite court writer of many of the most important Lords and Ladies of France in the early 1400s. She started her career writing Love Poetry before expanding to writing treatises on Politics, History, Gender, and Theology. In this episode I'll trace her political thought as the Armagnac-Burgundian civil war rages by focusing on three of her writings: The Book of the Body Politic, The Lament on the Evils of Civil War, and The Book of Peace. Check out this episode's page on granddukesofthewest.com for a list of my sources and to read De Pizan's writings for yourself.

I've been saying for a while that the Burgundians used propaganda and public relations much more effectively than their opponents. In this episode I'll explore how they did that and what it meant. For more on Burgundian Propaganda check out the work of Dr. Emily J. Hutchison. Time Period Covered: 1401-1419

After years of Civil War John the Fearless and Dauphin Charles met on a bridge over the Yonne River to make peace... Time Period Covered: 1418-1419 Notable People: John the Fearless, Charles VII of France, Henry V of England, Tanneguy du Chastel, Lady of Giac, Queen Isabeau, Jean Louvet, Nicolas Rolin Notable Events/Developments: English Conquest of Rouen, Treaty of Pouilly-le-Fort, Assassination of John the Fearless

The Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War is at a fever pitch yet again. John the Fearless has launched a major expedition into the Ile de France while the Count of Armagnac struggles to maintain Armagnac control of Paris. Meanwhile, King Henry V of England has taken advantage of the chaos in France and launched another invasion of Normandy. Time Period Covered: 1417-1418 Notable People: John the Fearless, Bernard VII Count of Armagnac, Charles VII of France, Henry V of England, Tanneguy du Chastel, Queen Isabeau Notable Events/Developments: Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, Burgundian Seizure of Paris, John the Fearless' Hesdin Manifesto, English Invasion of Normandy Get tickets to the Intelligent Speech Conference on November 4 at intelligentspeechonline.com

The Battle of Agincourt and death of Dauphin Louis upended many of the political arrangements of the past few years. The conflict between the Armagnacs and Burgundians continues, now without Louis of Guyenne to keep them in check. All the while the kings of England and Germany conspire to make their own advances at France's expense. Time Period Covered: 1416-1417 Notable People: John the Fearless, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Bernard VII Count of Armagnac, William of Bavaria Count of Hainault-Holland-Zeeland, John of Touraine, Henry V of England Notable Events/Developments: The Council of Constance, Death of John of Barry, Death of Louis II of Anjou, Death of William of Bavaria

After years of rising tension between England and France, the ambitious new English King Henry V decided that an expedition to Normandy was the panacea for his domestic troubles. Meanwhile in France, the squabbles between Dauphin, the Armagnacs, and the Burgundians hamstrung efforts for a united defense of the kingdom. Time Period Covered: 1415 Notable People: John the Fearless, Louis of Guyenne, Henry V of England, John Duke of Berry, Anthony of Burgundy Duke of Brabant, Philip of Burgundy Count of Nevers, Charles Duke of Orleans, Charles d'Albret Constable of France, Marshall Boucicaut, Bernard VII of Armagnac Notable Events/Developments: Siege of Harcourt, Battle of Agincourt, Death of Louis of Guyenne Check out Battle Royale's Regency of Madness!

After the fall of the Cabochiens, John the Fearless fled Paris and left the city wide open for the Armagnacs to return. Now at the helm of government, the Armagnacs work to use France's resources to settle their scores with the Duke of Burgundy. Time Period Covered: 1413-1415 Notable People: John the Fearless, Louis of Guyenne, John Duke of Berry, Anthony of Burgundy Duke of Brabant, Margaret of Burgundy Countess of Hainault-Holland-Zeeland, Philip the Good, Louis de Chalon Count of Tonnerre Notable Events/Developments: Armagnac Campaign into Picardy and Artois, Treaty of Arras (1414)

John the Fearless continues to be dominant in Paris, but with the Peace of Auxerre coming into effect, the Armagnacs are attempting to share in the Government of France once more. To ensure his power, John the Fearless courts the radicals of Paris and the Estates General, but soon the radicals develop a mind of their own and a medieval French Revolution might be in the making. Time Period Covered: 1413 Notable People: John the Fearless, Louis of Guyenne, John Duke of Berry, Waleran of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, Jean de Troyes, Simon Caboche, Pierre Des Essarts, Eustache de Pavilly, Jean Jouvenal Notable Events/Developments: Peace of Auxerre, The Cabochien Uprising, The Ordonnance Cabochienne, The Estates General of 1413

After the first showdown with the League of Gien, John the Fearless managed to maintain his grip on power. But the Armagnacs are regrouping and the war is about to escalate as both parties court support from the King of England. Time Period Covered: 1410 - 1412 Notable People: John the Fearless, John Duke of Berry, Charles Duke of Orleans, John V Duke of Brittany, Charles d'Albret Constable of France, Bernard VII Count of Armagnac, Louis II Duke of Anjou, Charles III King of Navarre, Queen Isabeau, Waleran of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, Henry IV of England, Henry V of England Notable Events/Developments: Burgundian Armagnac Civil War, First Armagnac Campaign into Picardy, War for Tonnerre, 1412 Siege of Bourges

When John the Fearless left Paris for Liege in 1408, his position was shaky, but his return as a conquering hero quickly established his dominance over the capital. However, his enemies and rivals are beginning to unify, and the League of Gien poses a significant threat to his continued mastery of France. Time Period Covered: 1408 - 1410 Notable People: John the Fearless, John Duke of Berry, Queen Isabeau, Valentina Visconti, Charles Duke of Orleans, John V Duke of Brittany, Louis II Duke of Anjou, Jean de Montagu, Charles d'Albret Constable of France, Bernard VII Count of Armagnac, Charles III King of Navarre, Notable Events/Developments: Formation of the League of Gien, Reconciliation at Chartres, Peace of Bicetre, Burgundian Armagnac Civil War

John the Fearless controls Paris, but his brother-in-law John of Bavaria is in the process of losing control of his territory, the Prince-Bishopric of Liege. To save John of Bavaria's skin, John the Fearless will team up with his other brother-in-law William of Bavaria and leave France to his domestic enemies in order to secure Burgundian influence over the Low Countries. Time Period Covered: 1408 Notable People: John the Fearless, Anthony of Burgundy Duke of Brabant, John of Bavaria Prince-Bishop-Elect of Liege, William of Bavaria Count of Hainaut-Holland-Zeeland, William Count of Namur, Henry of Horne Lord of Perwez, Thierry of Perwez Notable Events/Developments: The Rise of the Haydroits, The Battle of Othee Check out the Popeular History Podcast! Check out this episode's page on granddukesofthewest.com for a map of the Low Countries and the Othee Campaign Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn

The Duke of Orleans is dominant in Paris and he takes every opportunity to exclude his cousin John the Fearless from power. Seeing every opportunity vanish before his eyes, the Duke of Burgundy decides to take drastic steps and arranges for Louis of Orleans to be assassinated. But once the breach has been opened, can it ever be mended? Time Period Covered: 1406 - 1408 Notable People: John the Fearless, Louis Duke of Orleans, John Duke of Berry, Queen Isabeau, Valentina Visconti, John V Duke of Brittany, Louis II Duke of Anjou, Jean de Montagu, Jean Petit Notable Events/Developments: The Assassination of the Duke of Orleans, The Justification of the Duke of Burgundy Check out the Battle Royale Podcast! Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn

After Philip the Bold's death, Louis of Orleans took no time establishing his dominance in Paris. But Philip's son John wasn't willing to cede the Burgundian position. Shortly after coming into his inheritance he headed to Paris in order to claw back a share of power. Time Period Covered: 1404 - 1406 Notable People: John the Fearless, Louis Duke of Orleans, John Duke of Berry, Queen Isabeau, Dauphin Louis of Guyenne, Anthony of Burgundy Duke of Brabant Notable Events/Developments: The Kidnapping of the Dauphin, Orleanist Dominance in Paris, Alliance between the Queen and Duke of Orleans Check out The History of Cologne Podcast! Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn

Philip the Bold is dead and now a new generation steps into the spotlight. His sons have taken over the vast Burgundian complex of territories while Louis of Orleans works to expunge the vestiges of Burgundian influence from Paris. Today we'll focus on how John and his brothers consolidated power in the Low Countries and Burgundy. Time Period Covered: 1404 - 1408 Notable People: John the Fearless, Anthony of Burgundy Duke of Brabant, Philip of Burgundy Count of Nevers, William of Bavaria Count of Hainaut-Holland-Zeeland, Margaret of Flanders, Margaret of Bavaria, Louis de Chalon Count of Tonnerre Notable Events/Developments:  Death of Philip the Bold, Resumption of the Hundred Years War, Anglo-Flemish Neutrality Check out the History of the Second World War Podcast! Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn

Louis of Orleans grows more powerful by the day. The Duke of Burgundy had been out of Paris in mid-1401 dealing with affairs in his own territories, and in that time Orleans had taken control of the capital. In order to reestablish his hold on the French Government, Philip the Bold now has to turn to arms. The rivalry between Uncle and Nephew is consuming not only Paris, but France and its neighbors as well. Time Period Covered: 1401 - 1404 Notable People: Philip the Bold, Louis Duke of Orleans, King Charles VI, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, John Duke of Berry, Waleran of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, King Henry IV of England, Jost of Moravia Notable Events/Developments:  1401 Confrontation between Philip the Bold and Louis of Orleans, Transfer of Luxembourg to Louis of Orleans, Piracy between England and France, Anglo-Flemish Trade Negotiations, French Return to Avignon Check out the Pontifacts Podcast! Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn

In 1396 Philip the Bold was the most powerful man in France, but his nephew Louis Duke of Orleans was coming for his position. The turn of the 15th century saw a number of political upheavals in Europe and Louis hoped that the new political landscape would favor him over his uncle. While over the past few years Philip's dominance was unchallenged, the Duke of Orleans was maturing and his ambitions were growing to match. Time Period Covered: 1396 - 1401 Notable People: Philip the Bold, Louis Duke of Orleans, King Charles VI, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, John Duke of Berry, Joan Duchess of Brabant, William I of Guelders and Julich, John of Bavaria, Waleran of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, King Richard II of England, King Henry IV of England, Wenceslas of Luxembourg, Rupert of the Palatinate Notable Events/Developments:  French Expansion into Genoa, Guelders-Brabant War (1397-1399), French Withdrawal from Avignon, Overthrow of Richard II, Deposition of Wenceslas of Luxembourg Check out The Siecle! Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

Over the course of the 14th Century the lords of a small county on the border between France and the Holy Roman Empire became the Kings of Bohemia, Hungary, and Germany and the lords of dozens of smaller principalities. The House of Luxembourg began its rise when the Count of Luxembourg was put forward as a compromise candidate for Holy Roman Emperor, and from there they became one of the most important houses in Central Europe. In this miniseries we'll explore three of these powerful and influential houses: The House of Luxembourg, the Wittelsbach House of Bavaria, and the Habsburg House of Austria. Time Period Covered: 1308 - 1396 Notable People: Henry VII of Luxembourg, Baldwin of Luxembourg Archbishop of Trier, John the Blind, Charles IV of Luxembourg, Wenceslas IV of Luxembourg, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Henry of Carinthia, Ludwig IV the Bavarian Notable Events/Developments: The Great Interregnum of the Holy Roman Empire, The Golden Bull of 1356, Founding of Charles University Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

The Crusaders have reached Nicopolis! But as the Crusaders settle in and prepare for a siege the Ottoman army led by Sultan Bayezid the Thunderbolt is making it's way north. Time Period Covered: 1396-1398 Notable People: John the Fearless, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Mircea the Elder, Bayezid the Thunderbolt, Engeurrand de Coucy, Philip of Artois Count of Eu, Jean Le Maingre/Boucicaut, Stefan Lazarevic, Philip the Bold, Dino Rapondi Thank you to Bry from Pontifacts and Ben from Wittenberg to Westphalia for reading the quotes for this episode. Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

In 1396, Count John of Nevers, son of Duke Philip the Bold of Burgundy, led a Crusade against the Ottoman Empire. In this second part of three on the Crusade of Nicopolis we will explore the legacy of the Crusades in Late Medieval Europe and begin our march towards Nicopolis. Time Period Covered: ~1300 - 1396 Notable People: John the Fearless, Philip the Bold, Philippe de Mezieres, King Charles VI of France, King Richard II of England, John of Gaunt, Louis of Orleans, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Mircea the Elder, Bayezid the Thunderbolt Notable Events/Developments: Fall of Outremer, The Truce of Leulinghem, Battle of Vidin (1396), Siege of Oryahovo (1396) Thank you to Gary Girod from the French History Podcast and Emmanuel Dubois from La Fayette, We Are Here! for reading the quotes for this episode. Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

In 1396, Count John of Nevers, son of Duke Philip the Bold of Burgundy, led a Crusade against the Ottoman Empire. In this first part of three on the Crusade of Nicopolis we will explore the two other major players in this crusade. The Kingdom of Hungary which initiated the call, and the Ottoman Empire, the target of the Crusade. Time Period Covered: 1299 - 1395 Notable People: Charles Robert of Hungary, Louis the Great of Hungary, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Mircea the Elder, Osman I, Orhan I, Murad I, Bayezid the Thunderbolt, Lazar of Serbia, Stefan Lazarevic Notable Events/Developments: Angevin Rule in Hungary, Rise of the Ottomans, Battle of Maritsa, Battle of Kosovo Thank you to Veronica Fortune from the Passed Podcast and Roberto Toro from The History of Saqartvelo Georgia and Tsar Power for reading the quotes for this episode. Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

In 1392 while travelling to Brittany, King Charles VI fell into delusion. In the aftermath of this episode, Philip the Bold took the opportunity to once again seize power in France. The Duke of Burgundy had been shut out of the inner circle for the past four years, but with the King no longer able to truly rule, Philip asserted his own right by force of personality political savvy. Time Period Covered: 1392 - 1396 Notable People: Philip the Bold, Louis Duke of Orleans, King Charles VI, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, John Duke of Berry, Waleran of Luxembourg Count of Saint-Pol, Olivier de Clisson, John of Montfort Duke of Brittany, John of Gaunt, King Richard II of England Notable Events/Developments: Madness of Charles VI, Fall of the Marmousets, Bal Des Ardents, Truce of Leulinghem, Death of Pope Clement VII Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

Last episode we saw Olivier de Clisson and John of Montfort at each other's throats. In this Supplemental Episode we'll explore the conflict that drove the two Breton Nobles apart. What could have been a minor conflict got tangled up with the Hundred Years War and the War of Breton Succession, also known as the War of the Two Jeannes, saw the Duchy of Brittany wracked with violence and chaos for decades. Time Period Covered: 1341 - 1388 Notable People: John of Montfort, Jeanne of Penthievre, Jeanne of Flanders, Charles of Blois, Jeanne de Clisson, Olivier de Clisson, Philip VI of France Notable Events/Developments: The War of Breton Succession, Outbreak of the Hundred Years War, English Control of Brest Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha

In 1388 King Charles VI dismissed his uncles and assumed control of the French Royal Government. The next four years saw Philip the Bold no longer controlling the realm, but rather dealing with issues in his own territories and looking to expand. With the Uncles on the outs a new circle came to dominate the French Crown known as the Marmousets. Time Period Covered: 1388 - 1392 Notable People: Philip the Bold, Olivier de Clisson, John of Montfort Duke of Brittany, Louis Duke of Touraine (later Duke of Orleans), Joan Duchess of Brabant, King Charles VI, John Duke of Berry, Bureau de la Riviere, Dino Rapondi, Jean de Chalon Prince of Orange Notable Events/Developments: Truce of Leulinghem, Rise of the Marmousets, War of Breton Succession, Burgundian acquisition of Limbourg and Overmaas Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn Music by Zakhar Valaha