Mary: the only heiress — The Tree of Europe

Louis XI occupies the Duchy of Burgundy and claims other territories. Mary needs her subjects’ support and grants the Great Privilege, limiting several of her father’s centralising measures. Her inheritance is immense, but defending it depends on agreements with the towns and provincial estates. In August, she marries Maximilian of Habsburg. The union negotiated at Trier is finally celebrated four years later, under the pressure of a succession war. Mary has a role of her own in that decision. The marriage gives the Burgundian inheritance a new dynastic defence and opens a lasting conflict between the French monarchy and the Habsburgs.

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Charles the Bold

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Mary of Burgundy

Heir to Charles the Bold from 1477 and titular Duchess of Burgundy. Her marriage to Maximilian of Habsburg linked his house to the Burgundian Netherlands. Disputes with France over the duchy, Franche-Comté and Artois mean that the entire inheritance cannot be presented as territory she governed continuously.

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Maximilian I

Habsburg emperor whose marriage policy laid the foundations of his house’s extraordinary dynastic expansion across Europe.

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Louis XI of France

King of France who weakened the great feudal principalities and strengthened royal authority. His rivalry with Charles the Bold proved decisive in the acquisition of much of the Burgundian inheritance.

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