The importance of the Burgundian alliance

The history of the Duchy of Burgundy

The Duchy of Burgundy was a territory between the Saône and Loire rivers, south of Troyes and north of Lyon. In 1361, it passed into the hands of the Valois dynasty, at the time the kings of France.

Philip the Bold

• In 1364, King John II of France gave the Duchy of Burgundy to his youngest son, Philip the Bold

• The Duchy’s power grew significantly when Philip married Margaret, the daughter and wealthy heiress of the count of Flanders

• When her father died in 1384, Philip inherited Flanders’ vast resources, making his lands and influence almost equal to those of the French crown

• Later dukes also secured powerful marriages, further strengthening Burgundy

• As a result, Burgundian support became a crucial factor in the Hundred Years War

King Charles VI of France becoming a serious political problem for France

From 1392 onwards he began to suffer from repeated and prolonged bouts of insanity that seriously impaired the smooth running of government.

This crisis led to various dukes, notably those of Burgundy and Orléans, running their own areas as independent states and vying with each other for control at the French court.

Conflict between John, Duke of Burgundy and Louis Duke of Orleans

in the early 15th century, John, duke of Burgundy (Charles VI's nephew) and Louis, duke of Orléans (Charles VI's younger brother)

In 1407, Duke John arranged for Louis to be murdered by hired assassins. This act sparked intense hostility between the Burgundians and Louis’s supporters, the Armagnacs.

Impact of the conflict between the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Orleans

Although a formal reconciliation was made between Duke John and Louis’s heir, the two sides remained deeply divided.

When Henry V became king of England in 1413, he took advantage of this internal French conflict. Believing that these divisions would prevent France from mounting a united defence, he prepared to invade.

Henry V conquering of Normandy

Between 1417 and 1419, Henry V conquered Normandy and on the 19th January 1419, he secured a decisive victory by capturing Rouen, the traditional stronghold of the dukes of Normandy.

French Internal Divisions Henry V Exploited

Henry opened diplomatic talks with both the French royal court and the Burgundians.

His timing was excellent: the French government was struggling with internal turmoil.

King Charles VI was incapacitated, and Queen Isabella and the Dauphin Charles were fighting for control.

At the same time, the duke of Burgundy was angered by French claims over his territory. Distrust between the dauphin’s Armagnac supporters and the Burgundians was already deep.

Assassination of John the Fearless & Burgundy–England Alliance

on 10 September 1419, representatives of the French factions met at Montereau to discuss how to respond to the English threat.

The meeting collapsed when John the Fearless was murdered by Armagnacs, in revenge for his killing of Louis of Orléans in 1407.

The assassination was carried out by two of the dauphin’s men, almost certainly with his approval.

Impact of John the Fearless’s assassination

John’s son, Philip the Good, ended negotiations with the dauphin and instead allied himself with the English.

Importance of the Anglo Burgadian alliance to Henry V: Preventing a French- Burgundian alliance

if these two states had united they would have been a formidable force and could have driven the English out of Normandy.

Importance of the Anglo Burgadian alliance to Henry V: meant that Philip the Good backed Queen Isabella’s faction at the French court

This group was far more willing to make peace with the English and agree to a treaty that included a marriage between Henry V and Catherine of Valois.

This was vital because it would join the English and French crowns and cut out the Dauphin Charles, making Henry both regent and heir to the French throne.

When was the treaty of Toyes signed?

1420

- the Anglo Burgundian alliance made this treaty possible

Why did Henry V agree to help Philip the Good fight the Armargans as revenge of his fathers death

To strengthen his alliance with the Burgundians.

How did the Anglo Burgundian alliance benefit the English?

Henry knew he would face strong opposition in France from those who wanted the dauphin to become king.

Why was Henry’s death (1422) a worry for English unity and strength.

his heir was the infant Henry VI.

HOWEVER, the Anglo-Burgundian alliance survived.

The Anglo-Burgundian alliance’s first military challenge

in 1423, the Battle of Cravant, when it fought the dauphin's forces who were invading Burgundy. The alliance was successful, despite being significantly outnumbered.

Joan of Arc and the Breakdown of the Anglo-Burgundian Alliance

Even after this success, the English and Burgundians did not often fight side-by-side, usually conducting separate campaigns. Still, their alliance worked well against the French Armagnacs in the early 1420s

This changed in 1429, when Joan of Arc emerged and inspired the dauphin, claiming God had chosen her to lead France to victory. Under her influence, he was crowned King Charles VII at Reims, becoming a far stronger opponent. After this, Duke Philip of Burgundy began making short regional truces with Charles, which increased the pressure on the English.

Pope Eugenius IV and the Breakdown of the Anglo-Burgundian Alliance

The alliance came under even more pressure in 1434 when Pope Eugenius IV officially recognised Charles VII as the rightful king.

Why was Duke Philip of Burgundy considering leaving the Anglo-Burgundian alliance in 1434?

By mid-1434, he was seriously thinking about abandoning the alliance when it became advantageous, especially as the political situation shifted toward favouring Charles VII.

What happened when Philip met Charles VII’s envoys at Nevers?

In early 1435, Philip reached a preliminary peace agreement with the French, signalling a move away from England.

What was the role of the Congress of Arras in 1435?

It formalised peace between Burgundy and France. English delegates withdrew in protest when France demanded Henry VI abandon his claim to the French throne.

What did Duke Philip gain for switching allegiance to Charles VII?

He received significant territory from the French crown in return for his support

Why was Burgundy’s defection a major concern to England?

It ruined England’s hopes of creating a dual monarchy (England + France) and led to major losses like the fall of Paris in April 1436.