Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy

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

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

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

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

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