Burgundian Netherlands

Quick Facts: Who was Burgundian Netherlands?

Subject:

Burgundian Netherlands

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A powerful political union of the Low Countries ruled by the House of Valois-Burgundy (1384–1482).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Burgundian Netherlands were parts of the Low Countries that were ruled by the House of Valois-Burgundy between 1384 and 1482. During the Burgundian Age, those lands were also parts of the wider Valois-Burgundian State, which itself belonged, in terms of suzerainty, partly to the Kingdom of France and partly to the Holy Roman Empire. The Valois Dukes of Burgundy gradually acquired and united those lowlands into a political union that went beyond a personal union establishing central institutions for the first time (such as the States General). The period began with Duke Philip the Bold taking office as count and lord of Antwerp, Artois, Flanders, Mechelen, and Rethel in 1384, and lasted until the death of Duchess Mary of Burgundy in 1482, after which the Valois-Burgundian State was dissolved, as Mary's titles and lands were inherited by her son Philip the Handsome, from the House of Habsburg, thus initiating creation of the Habsburg Netherlands. In the 15th century, it was customary to refer to the Low Countries where the Duke of Burgundy ruled and usually resided as les pays de par-deçà meaning "the lands over here" as opposed to Burgundy proper (in Central France) which was designated les pays de par-delà meaning "the lands over there" (see also Terminology of the Low Countries).

Career & Major Achievements

Around the 13th and early 14th century, various cities in the Low countries became so important that they started playing a major role in the political and economical affairs of their respective fiefs. At the same time, the political system of relatively petty lords was ending, and stronger rulers (with actual power over larger territories) started to emerge. In the case of the Dutch, these two developments resulted in the political unification of all Dutch fiefs within a supra-regional state. This process started in the 14th century, with the Flemish cities gaining previously unseen powers over their county. When Count Louis II of Flanders died without a male heir, these cities (Bruges, Ypres, and Ghent) arranged a marriage between the count's daughter (future Countess Margaret III) and the duke of Burgundy (Philip the Bold).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By doing this, they set in motion a chain of events eventually leading to the establishment and expansion of the Burgundian Low Countries. A fair share (but not most) of these territories were inherited by the Burgundian dukes, a younger branch of the French royal House of Valois, upon the death of Count Louis II of Flanders in 1384. His heiress, Margaret III of Flanders in 1369 had married Philip the Bold, youngest son of King John II of France and the first of the Valois dukes of Burgundy at Dijon, who thus inherited the County of Flanders. The Flemish comital House of Dampierre had been French vassals, who held territory around the affluent cities of Bruges and Ghent, but also adjacent lands in former Lower Lorraine east of the Scheldt river ("Imperial Flanders") including the exclave of Mechelen, which were a fief of the Holy Roman Empire, and furthermore the neighbouring French County of Artois. Together they initiated an era of Burgundian governance in the Low Countries.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1369: 1369 Milestone — His heiress, Margaret III of Flanders in 1369 had married Philip the Bold, youngest son of King John II of France and the first of the Valois dukes of Burgundy at Dijon, who thus inherited the County of Flanders.
2. 1384: 1384 Milestone — The Burgundian Netherlands were parts of the Low Countries that were ruled by the House of Valois-Burgundy between 1384 and 1482.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Burgundian Netherlands

True or False: “The Burgundian Netherlands were entirely incorporated into the Kingdom of France upon the death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Upon Mary's death, her titles and lands were inherited by her son Philip the Handsome from the House of Habsburg, initiating the Habsburg Netherlands.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• John Wycliffe — Historical peer (Died in 1384) (1384): Pioneering English reformer whose doctrines influenced the trajectory of Christianity.
• Kan'ami — Historical peer (Died in 1384) (1384): Pioneering Noh actor, author, and musician who founded the Kanze school.
• Federico da Montefeltro — Historical peer (Died in 1482) (1482): Renaissance Condottieri, Lord of Urbino, and Patron of Humanism
• Hugo van der Goes — Historical peer (Died in 1482) (1482): A pivotal Flemish painter of the Early Netherlandish school, known for monumental altarpieces.
• John Chandos — Historical peer (Died in 1369) (1369): A celebrated medieval English knight and military strategist of the Hundred Years' War.
• Pope Martin V — Historical peer (Born in 1369) (1369): Pope Martin V, who ended the Western Schism and ruled the Papal States.

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