Dijon and the Dukes of Burgundy by Savvy Mom Ruth Paget
I always seem to make Dijon a base for visiting other places in Burgundy, France despite its stunning architecture.
I always seem to make Dijon a base for visiting other places in Burgundy, France despite its stunning architecture.
Burgundy is famous for its wine and food today, but the
Grand Dukes of Burgundy were responsible for managing one of the most powerful
regions in Christendom led by the abbeys at Cluny and Cîteaux in Burgundy’s heyday.
Four dukes in particular brought fame to Dijon:
Philippe le Hardi (The Bold) (1342 – 1404)
Jean sans Peur (The Fearless) (1371 – 1419)
Philippe le Bon (The Good) (1396 – 1467)
Charles le Téméraire (Also the Bold –Daring is
a better translation) (1433 – 1477)
Philippe le Hardi (Philippe II, Duke of Burgundy) was the
fourth and youngest of Jean II (1319-1364), a Valois king of France. Philippe’s father gave him Burgundy and title
of Duke for his bravery at the Battle of Poitiers. Philippe became in this way the founder of
the Burgundian branch of House of Valois.
Philippe le Hardi had many children and acquired territory
through marriage alliances. His own
marriage to Margaret of Flanders brought him Flanders, Brabant, and
Artois. His territories were not
contiguous as those of France were, but Philippe had the advantage of hemming
in France on several sides.
Philippe le Hardi’s son was Jean sans Peur. He is said to have been fearless and liked to
instill fear in others. Jean sans Peur
was a fighting king and went of crusade in 1396. He was held as a hostage by the Turks and
eventually released.
Jean san Peur’s son was Philippe le Bon (Philippe III, Duke
of Burgundy) is most famous for having his troops hand Joan of Arc over to the
English in 1430 for a ransom of 10,000 crowns.
(Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in Rouen, France.)
Philippe le Bon married Isabelle of Portugal and founded the
Order of the Golden Fleece to celebrate his marriage. This is a prestigious order and members are
still inducted in Spain and Austria.
Charles le Téméraire, who succeeded Philippe le
Bon, loved hunting and culture. He vied
with king Louis XI of France for prestige and power. Upon Charles’ death, the Burgundian duchy was
divided between Louis XI and the Habsburgs.
Today you can see and appreciate the power and luxury of
Burgundy by walking around Dijon and admiring the architecture. The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is a
gorgeous souvenir of this period in French history.
By Ruth Paget, Author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
Click here for: Ruth Paget's Amazon Books
Click here for: Ruth Paget's Amazon Books
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| Laurent Paget Photography |
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