Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy
By Josh Zucker
Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois BurgundySep 05, 2022
Episode 37: Matrimonial Mayhem and Havoc in Hainaut
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
Episode 36: Bedford, Bourges, and Beyond
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
Episode 35: Disinherited
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
Episode 34: The Treaty of Troyes
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
Episode 33: The Next Generation Season 2
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
Supplemental 8: Hooks and Cods
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
Supplemental 7: Grand Dukes of the Center Part 2 - The House of Wittelsbach
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
Supplemental 6: The Rapondi Company and Ducal Finance
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.
Supplemental 5: Christine de Pizan and the Body Politic
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.
Supplemental 4: The Civil War of Words - Burgundian Propaganda and Symbolism
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
Episode 32: The Bridge of Montereau
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
Episode 31: The Manifesto
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
Episode 30: Picking Up the Pieces
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
Episode 29: Agincourt
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!
Episode 28: On the Outside Looking In
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)
Episode 27: Reform and Revolution
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
Episode 26: Armagnacs and Burgundians
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
Episode 25: The League of Gien
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
Episode 24: The Fearless and the Pitiless
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
Episode 23: Le Morte d'Orleans
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
Episode 22: A Cousins' Quarrel
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
Episode 21: The Next Generation
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
Episode 20: Uncle and Nephew
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
Episode 19: To the Brink
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
Supplemental 3: Grand Dukes of the Center Part 1 - The House of Luxembourg
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
Episode 18: The Nicopolis Crusade Part 3 - The Last Crusade
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
Episode 17: The Nicopolis Crusade Part 2 - A Holy Mission
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
Episode 16: The Nicopolis Crusade Part 1 - Hungary and the Ottomans
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
Episode 15: How the Tables Have Turned
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
Supplemental 2: Jeanne VS Jeanne
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
Episode 14: Monkeying About
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
Episode 13: Courtly Love and Courtly Life
The Court of Philip the Good was known as one of the foremost centers of art patronage in the late middle ages. But Philip the Good did not start from scratch. The Burgundian Court of Dukes Philip the Bold and John the Fearless were centers of art and culture and set the stage for the opulence and grandeur of the later dukes.
Artists/Art Featured: Tres Riches Heurs of John of Berry (The Limbourg Brothers), The Romance of the Rose, The Song of Roland, Jean Gerson, Christine de Pisan (The Book of the City of Ladies, The Treasure of the City of Ladies, The Tale of the Rose), Cour d'Amour, Order of the Golden Tree, The Castle of Hesdin, Melchior Broederlam, Jan Maelwael, Claus Sluter, Claus de Werve, The Charterhouse of Champmol
Check out granddukesofthewest.com for images of many of the works of art featured in today's episode!
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 12: Tour de Bourgogne
Now that Philip the Bold is firmly in control of the Counties that he inherited from his father-in-law let's take a look at these lands. In this episode we'll explore the Two Burgundies (The Duchy and County of Burgundy), The County of Nevers, the Champagne Lands, and Philip's 'Lands Down There' (Flanders, Artois, and Rethel). We'll also take a look at Brabant and Limburg where the Burgundian influence is steadily growing.
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 11: Foundations of a State
In 1386 Philip the Bold Duke of Burgundy, Count of Flanders, Count of Artois, Count of Burgundy, Count of Nevers, and Count of Rethel began the process of reorganizing the administration of his territories and building a Burgundian State. In this episode we will dive into the Burgundian State such that it existed under Philip.
Key Terms: Parlement, Chambre des Comptes, Bailiff, Receiver, Bailiwick, Estates General, Four Members of Flanders, Audience, Avocat, Procureur, Composite Monarchy
Check out the Wittenberg to Westphalia Podcast!
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 10: I Cannot Wait
Time Period Covered: 1384 - 1388
Notable People: Philip the Bold, Joan Duchess of Brabant, Albert Count of Hainault-Holland-Zeeland, William Duke of Guelders, King Charles VI, John Duke of Berry, Louis of Male
Notable Events/Developments: Double Wedding at Cambrai (1385), End of the Ghent War, 1386 Invasion of England (Aborted), 1388 Campaign to Guelders, War of Brabantian Succession (1356-7)
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Supplemental 1: Family Feud
In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, two rival houses dominated the Low Countries. The House of Dampierre ruled Flanders while the House of Avesnes ruled Hainaut and later Holland and Zeeland as well. Unfortunately for all involved these two houses were fierce rivals and entangled in a blood feud. Let's go back to the 13th Century to explore the origins of the Dampierre-Avesnes feud.
As I've been doing more research for this show I've been running into more topics that I want to cover but which are slightly outside the scope of the show. I hope to use these Supplemental Episodes to help fill in the world of the Grand Dukes of the West and to provide context for some of the events to come. Let me know what you think of the format.
Time Period Covered: 1204 - 1280
Notable People: Margaret of Constantinople Countess of Flanders, Bouchard of Avesnes, William of Dampierre, William II of Dampierre, Guy of Dampierre, John of Avesnes, King Philip II Augustus, King Louis IX, Joan of Constantinople Countess of Flanders, Ferrand of Portugal
Notable Events/Developments: The Fourth Crusade, The Battle of Bouvines, War of the Flemish Succession
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 9: The Ghent War
In 1380 the death of King Charles V of France opened up all sort of doors for his younger brothers. Philip the Bold took charge and assumed control of the regency council of the new, young king, Charles VI. Philip's time at the helm of the ship of state would not be all smooth sailing. Revolts popped up all over the kingdom in response to taxes being raised, and Flanders was still being consumed by the conflict between Count Louis of Male and the townsfolk of Ghent. Throughout this period, Philip continued to strengthen his position using the resources of the French government.
Time Period Covered: 1380 - 1384
Notable People: Philip the Bold, Charles VI, Louis of Male, Philip Van Artevelde, Henry Despenser, John Duke of Berry, Louis Duke of Anjou, Francis Ackerman
Notable Events/Developments: The Ghent War, The Maillotin Uprising, The Battle of Roosebeke, Despenser's Crusade
Check out the Tsar Power Podcast!
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 8: Advancing French and Angry Flemings
The 1370s were a time of recovery for France. The sons of John the Good set to work rebuilding their country and driving out the English. Philip the Bold found himself tasked with retaking a number of castles and harassing English raids. But Philip did not spent those years solely as a soldier. These years see Philip beginning to flex his diplomatic muscles and learning the secrets of state building that will serve him well in the future.
Time Period Covered: 1364-1380
Notable People: Philip the Bold, Charles V, Louis of Male, Bertrand Du Guesclin, John of Gaunt, Charles the Bad, Louis of Anjou
Notable Events/Developments: Hundred Years War Caroline Phase, Castilian Civil War, The Western Schism, The Ghent War
Check out the Nobelesse Oblige Podcast!
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 7: The Burgundian Bachelor
Philip the Bold has finally been installed as Duke of Burgundy, but what's next? This episode we're going to catch up with Flanders and see how Philip spent the first few years of his reign. The 1360s saw Philip active both in the French Royal Court and in Burgundy. The past decade had been rough for Philip's new Duchy and when he came to power, it was facing many issues that required his attention. But that's not all, Philip will also have to learn how to deal with the rich and easily perturbed citizens of the towns of Flanders.
Time Period Covered: 1340s-1369
Notable People: Philip the Bold, Charles V, Jacob Van Artevelde, Louis of Male, Margaret of Male, Margaret of Artois
Notable Events/Developments: Fall of Jacob Van Artevelde, Marriage of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Male, The Free Companies, History of the County of Burgundy
Check out the La Fayette, We Are Here! Podcast
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 6: Two Philips, Two Charles, and Many Jacques
1356 was a year of disaster for the French Crown. The Battle of Poitiers saw King John captured and taken to England, the French army significantly weakened, and central authority collapse. Back in France, John's oldest son the Dauphin Charles was struggling to hold it all together. English raids, peasant revolt, and Norman rebellion all caused headache after headache for the Dauphin while John and his youngest son Philip, now called the Bold for his exploits at Poitiers, had a comfortable English imprisonment. When John and Philip finally made it back to France, the King was determined to give Philip the Bold a proper token to show his gratitude, the wealthy and powerful Duchy of Burgundy.
Time Period Covered: 1356-1364
Notable People: Philip of Rouvres, Philip the Bold, King Charles V, Charles the Bad, Etienne Marcel, King John the Good, Edward the Black Prince, Margaret of Flanders
Notable Events/Developments: Battle of Poitiers, The Jacquerie, Treaty of Bretigny
Check out the Passed Podcast!
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 5: The Hundred Years War
The Hundred Years war did not arise from a vacuum. The 12th and 13th centuries had seen near constant conflict between the English and French Crowns. As both kingdoms began to grow stronger and richer the wars between the two would also grow in intensity. In 1337 tensions boiled over yet again and war was declared. Brutal raids devastated the French countryside, disastrous battles loomed destroyed armies, and the Plague brought death even to regions untouched by violence. The 14th Century saw France hit by catastrophe and calamity, but as France was on the decline, Valois Burgundy was about to get started.
Time Period Covered: 1152-1356
Notable People: King Philip II, Henry Plantagenet, Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Philip VI, King John the Good, King Edward III, Charles the Bad, The Black Prince
Notable Events/Developments: Angevin Empire, Battle of Bouvines, The Hundred Years War, Battle of Sluis, Battle of Crecy, The Black Death
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Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 4: Flanders and the Rise of Towns
If there was one good that dominated medieval commerce it was cloth, and if there was one region that dominated the production and trade of cloth it was Flanders. Flanders, tucked right between France, The Holy Roman Empire, and England, was the commercial center of medieval Northern Europe. It's cities were rich and powerful and at times brought the flower of French Chivalry to their knees.
Time Period Covered: 1100s-1346
Notable People: King Philip IV, King Philip VI, Guy of Dampierre, Robert of Bethune, Louis of Nevers
Notable Events/Developments: Cloth Trade in Flanders, Urbanization in Medieval Europe, City Rights, Rise of Guilds, Battle of the Golden Spurs
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Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 3: The House of Burgundy
Before there were Valois, there were Capetians, both in France and in Burgundy. The Capetian House of Burgundy ruled the Duchy for over three centuries and transformed it from a collection of territories to a single political unit. These dukes set the stage for their Valois successors to rise to great heights.
Time Period Covered: 1016-1350
Notable People: Hugh Capet, King Robert II, Duke Odo IV
Notable Developments: Monastic Reform (Cluny and Cistercian Orders), Peace of God Movement, Ducal Bailiffs, The Hundred Years War
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 2: From Kingdom to Duchy
In this episode we're covering the centuries between King Clothair's conquest of the Kingdom of Burgundy and King Robert II's conquest of the Duchy of Burgundy. A lot changed in that period and we're going to look at the decline of the Merovingians, the rise and fall of the Carolingians, the rise of Feudalism, some of the big events of Frankish History, and how Burgundy became a Duchy. I hope you'll join me!
Time Period Covered: 561 - 1016
Notable People: Pepin de Herstal, Charles Martell, Lothar I, Richard the Justiciar, Hugh the Great, King Robert II
Notable Events: Battle of Tertry, Battle of Tours, Treaty of Verdun, Capitularies of Charles the Bald, Viking Raids in France
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha
Episode 1: The Burgundians and Their Kingdoms
Welcome to Grand Dukes of the West! This episode begins with an introduction to the show and continues with a history of the Late Antique kingdoms of the Burgundians. The Burgundians were not the most famous of the Germanic Tribes that menaced the Roman Empire in its twilight days, but they did leave a lasting legacy.
Time Period Covered: 406-534
Notable People: Gundahar, Aetius, Gundabad, Clovis
Notable Events: The Crossing of the Rhine, Fall of the Roman Empire, Battle of Vouille, Frankish Conquest of Burgundia
Cover Art by Brandon Wilburn
Music by Zakhar Valaha