Duchy of Burgundy

The Duchy of Burgundy was a fief that roughly corresponded to the French region of Burgundy. Thanks to its wealth and relatively extensive territory, the duchy was important both politically and economically, serving as the core of the so-called Burgundian State. The initial dynasty of the Dukes of Burgundy came to an end in 1026, with the death without descendants of the house's heir, Duke Otto William of Burgundy. But the duchy had already been annexed in 1016 by Henry I, who became duke in 1061. The title of Duke of Burgundy was granted by the King of France to princes, and a priori to the eldest sons of the Dauphin. Felipe III, Duke of Burgundy, called "Philippe the Good" (in French: Philippe le Bon; Dijon, July 31, 1396 - Bruges, June 15, 1467), was also called Grand Duke of the West due to the breadth of his territories under the influence of the Duchy, which included the Netherlands.

The Burgundian State is a modern term, coined to designate the political union under the authority of the Duke of Burgundy, but which has historical foundations as it derives from the same denominations of the 15th and 16th centuries. This conglomerate of territories lacked a unique title that expressed the idea of political unity, but the Duchy of Burgundy stands out among all of them, since the holder of the duchy was the Grand Master and Sovereign Head of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The State Burgundian or Burgundian Estates refers to all possessions acquired by the Dukes of Burgundy and their heirs over nearly two centuries, between 1363 and 1559.

 

The Duke of Burgundy tried to establish a link between the Burgundian lands proper and the northern Dutch lands to create a Burgundian kingdom. However, the Burgundian State lacked a singular title that expressed the idea of political unity. Furthermore, the Burgundian State or Burgundian Estates refers to all the possessions acquired by the Dukes of Burgundy and their heirs during almost two centuries, between 1363 and 1559, as said above