Chapter 2: The Move to the Low Countries
Chapter 2
The Move to the Low Countries
With a relative peace in place and the Dauphin distracted by England, Burgundy was free to strengthen itself. Tax collectors were immediately sent to the newly aquired provinces of Picardie, Champagne, and Nivernais. On March 8, 1523, the relationship with England was strengthened with the signing of the Treaty of Amiens, which gave Burgundy a royal marriage with England and Brittany, ensuring peace with these two countries.
On November 25, 1424, on his death bead, Jan of Bavaria left the two provinces of Holland and Artois to the Duke of Burgundy, ensuring that one day these provinces would come under the control of the Duke. Burgundy would not have to wait long. on January 7, 1425, Holland passed to the Duke, and on April 8, 1427, Artois was passed to Burgundy. Also, during this time of great expansion, Jan Van Eyck, the great artist, was accredited with the invention of oil painting. This new medium gave rise to a new form of painting which quickly spread throughout Europe, giving the artist more control over color and texture.
On April 23, 1429, the question of who would be the next king of France was finally answered. However, the answer was provided by the Duke himself. Duke Philip was in a unique opportunity. Charles, the Duaphin, accompanied by his new messanger from God, Joanne d'Arc, were requesting passage to Reims in Champagne in order to be crowned King of France. Philip, who had supported Henry of Lancaster during the war, was caught between two sides. If Charles was allowed to pass, then relations with France would improve and would help to secure the border with France, giving the Duke his opportunity to unify the Low Countries. If he supported the Lancasters, then war would surely break out between Burgundy and the Duaphin. In the end, the Duke decided to take the safe route and allow Charles passage to Reims cathedral. Mainly because he wanted to secure his border with France, and England was slowly losing its war with the Dauphin. It was clear to everyone that England was no longer a major power in France, so supporting them was a recipe for disaster. So, with passage secured, Charles, the Duaphin of France, became Charles VII, King of France. This news was actually recieved with apathy from the Duke. Philip no longer wanted anything to do with France, or its internal politics, since he no longer wanted to be under any authority. Burgundy was seperate from France, and its own internal problems and events were not important to the Duke. This feeling was strengthened even further when, on August 2, 1430, Brabant was passed to the Duke of Burgundy.
This gave the Duke a unique opportunity. Brussels, the captial of Brabant, was a growing city, ripe for a royal court to take residence within the city. This would bring the Dukedom into the Low Countries and give them a solid base with which to act from, but would also permanently sever ties with France. This, of course, was exaclty what the Duke wanted, and on August 20, 1430, the court moved to Brussels, where a new palace was built in honor of the Duke.
With the move to Brussels complete, the Duke continued to solidify his position as a major European power. In order to better tie his new nobles in the Low Countries to his Royal Court, the Order of the Golden Fleece was created in the months following the move to Brussels. This order gave the nobles a strong sense of attachment to the Burgundian Duke, allowing the Duke more loyalty from his nobles.
On April 4, 1431, the chance to continue to improve relations with both France and England arrived. Joan of Arc, since the corronation of Charles VII, had become a renegade. Launching attacks at both England and Burgundy, without the authorization of Charles. However, Joan was captured by the Burgundians and her fate rest in the hands of the Duke. He could either sell her to the English, or give her back to France. Charles was looking for a way to get rid of his thorn, and the English were foaming at the mouth to get their hands on the "would-be" French savior. So, Duke Philip decided to sell who to the English, who immediately put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. However, the ecclisiastical court found Joan not guilty. The English, not willing to let their prey go, had Joan assassinated before she could leave prison. This greatly angered the French people, but pleased the Duke, as this would take France's attention away from Burgundy and place it on England.
The next 15 years were spent strengthening the Dukedom's position. A cathedral was commissioned in Brussels, in honor of Philip's murdered father, John the Fearless. September 16, 1435 saw the marriage of Philip's younger brother to a cousin of Charles VII of France, futher strengthening the peace between the two.
1437 and 1438 saw the vassalization of Geldre and Friesland, the last two free kingdoms within the Low Countries. Duke Philip was now the virtual ruler of the entire Low Countries. However, on February 25, 1438, a great ball of fire was seen passing through the night sky over the Low Countries. Many felt that it was a bad omen and that something was near on the horizon. However, Burgundy would come to find out that not all Omen's mean imminent destruction...
