Charles the Bold, Last Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

14496

Title

Charles the Bold, Last Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This historical biography chronicles the ambitious reign of Charles the Bold, the last Duke of Burgundy. Blending contemporary accounts with meticulous research, the text explores his failed quest to unite the borderlands of France and Germany. Rich in detail and drama, it offers a compelling portrait of a sovereign whose unaccomplished enterprises shaped European history.

Summary up to 500 words

Ruth Putnam's biography, *Charles the Bold, Last Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477*, chronicles the ambitious and ultimately tragic life of the Duke of Burgundy, a figure whose attempts to forge a 'middle kingdom' reshaped late medieval Europe. Putnam constructs her narrative from a mosaic of contemporary accounts, notably the writings of Philip de Commines, to reveal a character defined by both genius and diplomatic shortcomings. The book traces Charles from his childhood in Dijon to his fatal defeat at the Battle of Nancy, highlighting his role in the decadence of chivalry and the shifting power dynamics of the era. A central theme is Charles's relationship with his father, Philip the Good, who founded the Order of the Golden Fleece. While Philip intended the order to bolster chivalry, Putnam notes it evolved into a house of peers for the Burgundian family, with Charles eventually becoming its head. The narrative details Charles's aggressive expansion into Alsace and the Rhinelands, where his lieutenant, Peter von Hagenbach, faced fierce local resistance. Despite efforts to police roads and ensure safety, Hagenbach's harsh taxation and treatment of the populace fueled hatred among the burghers and the Swiss Confederation. This opposition culminated in the formation of the Swiss Confederation against Burgundian rule. Putnam also explores Charles's complex and often treacherous diplomatic maneuvers with Louis XI of France. Initially allies, the two men became bitter enemies as Louis XI exploited Charles's overconfidence and financial strain. Key events such as the Feast of the Pheasant, the War of Public Weal, and the Unjoyous Entry into Liège illustrate the volatility of Charles's reign. His attempts to annex territories like Lorraine and Cologne, combined with his inability to secure a crown, led to his isolation. The biography concludes with Charles's downfall, illustrating how his unaccomplished enterprises, though failing to create a kingdom, planted the germs for future conflicts in the borderlands of France and Germany. Through this partial yet fragmentary lens, Putnam offers a significant contribution to understanding the rise and fall of one of history's most formidable medieval sovereigns.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History