Chapter 03 : Weave its web further
Portrait of Louis de Bourbon-Roussillon aka "le bâtard de Bourbon"
Source : Anonyme, public domain --> Reliavech
Resume : The illegitimate son of Charles I of Bourbon, he was at the origin of the illegitimate branch of Bourbon-Roussillon. It is known that for his many services rendered to the State, Louis XI granted him in 1466 the dignity of Admiral of France. He also became governor of Dauphiné. He is one of the first knights to receive the necklace of the Order of St. Michael. He was one of with Commynes that inform him that Ham and Saint-Quentin would surrender without discussion.
Portrait of Philippe de Commynes
Source : Jacques Le Boucq, public domain.
Resume : Counselor and Chamberlain of Charles le Téméraire, until he became Counselor and Chamberlain of Louis XI. Flattered by the King's attention, Commynes gave him secrets and precious advice which helped Louis to extricate himself from the very delicate situation in which he had placed himself. Louis XI finally named him the seneschal of Poitou. He has kept a certain tenderness for Mary and is in favor of the solution of royal wedding.
Face of Jean de Bourgogne
Source : Statuts, Ordonnances et Armorial de l'Ordre de la Toison d'Or, public domain --> Jimmy44
Resume : Jean de Bourgogne, count of Nevers and Rethel. He fought loyally for Philip the Good but met frictions with his heir, Charles le Téméraire, and rallied to Louis XI. Inducted Duke of Brabant with the support of the French king he couldn't maintain himself to this post but kept to use this title. He sold the county of Eu to Charles the Bold in 1477.
Localisation : Nevers
These last day was really stressful and tiring for the King of France, his plan was really ambitious but if he succeed it would be a great opportunity for the crown.
When he heard about the death of Charles le Téméraire he didn't react immediately, but fortunately for him he was already prepared, during the war between Burgundians and Swiss he had created an army of 20,000 men to start a war with his rival. So he didn't need to search for men they were already here and he wanted take profit of it.
Everything was going to be a matter of speed. He needed to act as quickly as possible and in the same time to incapacitate Burgundian possessions.
He asked to Louis (Ier) de la Trémoille and Charles d'Ambroise (two of his captains, the former commanding in Barrois and the latter in Champagne), to prepare for an intervention in the duchy of Burgundy. He also had the Bourbon bastard to lead an attack in the north and try to take Picardy and Artois.
Commynes soon started bothering Louis XI about Burgundy and asked the King to be more kind with Mary. As such, he was sent in Flanders to seek some firm ground to base his assumptions on. At least he would let the King in peace here. Louis XI also sent Robert Gaguin and Henri Hisbuch, two of his diplomat, in the HRE in order to try to prevent Maximilian of Habsburg from receiving support from individual members of the diet.
He also sent Pierre Doriole, his own chancellor, to negotiate the continuation of the peace of Picquigny with Edward IV of England, and in passing to receive the oaths of vassalage in Picardy. That was but the official reason. He was also to send support to the brother of Edward, George duke of Clarence, that was trying to conquer the throne, and to the Scots. The goal was evidently to make any intervention precarious for the king of England.
He sent a message to his parliament in Paris to claim possession of the property of Charles the Bold, on the grounds that he had not fulfilled his oath of vassalage. (Lèse-Majesté) After sending these order he decided to launch his plan. With a small company, he gallops to Nevers to obtain help, knowing who could help him.
When he came here with a small group, nobody recognized him, for one thing because everybody thought that he was in Picardy to try and take control of Artois. The main reason though was his outfit, Louis Xi always chose poor outfits and disdained the royal entries so it was hard to recognize him even with his royal escort so when people saw a few knights entering in the castle of their duke, they didn't react and thought it was linked to the death of Charles the Bold. And they were right.
Jean de Bourgogne, count of Nevers and Rethel, used to be a loyal supporter of Phillipe the Good, but hated his son Charles the Bold, with whom he had had words, after Jean chose to serve his king Louis XI and fight with him against the League of the Public Good, and was one of his most devoted servant. Louis XI never forgot this and even tried to give him support to claim duchy of Brabant.
So Louis came there for a good reason. Jean would be his support towards the great nobles of the duchy of Burgundy, and Nevers will be his base of operation for his diplomatic conquest of Burgundy.
Discussion with Jean was pretty useful and he learnt many thing about other nobles that were important in the duchy of Burgundy. However, he would need some eastern support, since he didn't have any authority in these area and didn't had any support yet. It was one of problems that prevented a total union. Fortunately for him, he had a solution to change that. Adolf of Guelders was an important noble, respected in his duchy, that had been arrested by Charles le Téméraire and was forced to give up his title of Duchy to him. He was a good warrior and so could be really useful. It was the same for the duke of Kleve, Johann of Kleve was also a noble respected and good at military matters. Of course both are interested in a wedding with Mary of Burgundy to lead the Burgundian Countries. Fortunately Louis XI had a plan to change all that.
Louis XI had, during his reign, created an efficient and useful Post Office in his kingdom, and with that he could get informations really quickly. Furthermore, since it had a lot of rapid and well-organized horsemen, his service could also intercept some important letters. As such, it was one of his most important weapons.
He quickly learnt that many nobles in Flanders were favorable to him, especially two of them : the Chancellor Hugonet and Sire d'Humbercourt. Those men thought that Louis XI was an old king, easy to convince and turn around, and knew that, if they helped the king to gain the Burgundian estates, they would be greatly rewarded and would serve an even more powerful king. Furthermore, seeing that technically they were French vassals by their Flemish possession South of the Escaut, it wasn't even a betrayal for them. Their strong influence made them the main instigators of the rapid surrender of Arras and, helped by Commynes, they got a lot of support.
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Now he decided to launch the second phase of his plan, with their help he will send a formal letter that swearing on their honor that the Parliament of Flanders try to organize a wedding with Maximilian of Habsburg countersigned by two of the most influential councilors of the Burgundian states. In reality the conquest was not so simple, many news showed that few place in Boulogne resisted and some try to gain time, but Flanders people would not need to see this, so with the help of his advisor he manipulate the way of how people would perceive news to give the picture of a peaceful conquest and giving the impression that people were favorable to Louis XI which prompted the Flemish Parliament to send diplomats.
During this time Charles Ier D'amboise another of his general subjugate the duchy of Burgundy accompanied by Jean de Bourgogne-Nevers and his army and with the approval of the Parliamant of Paris. But thing were more complicated even if Charles Ier d'Amboise did an excellent job helped also by La Trémoille few subjects still rebelled that make him think that he should in future change the place of duchy of Burgundy parliament and give him to the city of Dijon that stay loyal to French.
He know that the conquest will not go further, noble of the palatine county of Burgundy clearly say that he did not have any right to go in there county and that they will stay loyal to Marie so they fortified their garrison and start to organize an army in case of attack, he also understand that now diplomatic actions should be launch, so when Ghent people send another ambassador he decided to answer in one letter that he would send his best diplomat to settle all their problems together, but in counterpart he asked them to not make any move without him, or else he would see this like a betrayal and go to war against Burgundy. The goal was in reality to prevent any move against him and it would work pretty well, his advisor already prevent several attacks to be launched and now it was too late for Flanders.
But the more fortunate day would be when his spies give him a letter send by the parliament of Ghent that ask help of Maximilian of Hasburg, quickly he send copy of this letter to many Burgundians noble to obtain their support, with that he will be see like the rightful king that work in respect of law and custom and Flanders parliament will be see like perfidious traitor. This event will seem discord, especially because with this Mary send one of his most beautiful jewel like proof of engagement but everything didn't work perfectly.
Marguerite of York the wife of Charles the Bold and considered as his own mom by Mary of Burgundy quietly escape of Flanders and go in Boulogne to organize resistance, try to go in Hainaut to organize wedding with Maximilian and go in England asking help of Edward to invade France. Fortunately one of his diplomat was already here, and now one of his most ardent opponent was gone of Burgundians estates.
But in case he asking to his diplomat in England to still work with duke of Clarence and Scottish to prepare a rebellion if Edward try to invade Burgundy or France, like this the problem should be solved easily, but for Maximilian it was too late, his army already started to prepare, and he send diplomat to prepare wedding with Mary a conflict will happen, but alone Maximillian would not be a great trouble, especially because Laurent de Medicis a good friend of Louis XI had refused to grant him credits.
With Jean he continue to work to get noble support even Louis de Bourbon archbishop of Liege and one of his former opponent join his side, thinking that an old king will be more easily influenced that the vigorous Maximilian that didn't have any possession for now, and secondly if he choose Louis Xi side this last will not support rebel in Liege anymore so for him it was a good solution. and the letter give him support of Kleve and Geldern duchy, with Flanders noble and with help of de bourgogne-Nevers duke most of noble and religious that was led by Louis de Bourbon will join his side.
Only the Burgher estate will be against him and some noble in Hainaut, Luxembourg (even if in these region they will be divided) in the palatine county of Burgundy and in some special case few nobles like Philippe von Kleve a great friend of Mary that will surely fight for her until his last breath. So he got a small majority helped by his promise to end of embargo against Burgundians estate and an access of French trade that will also bring some burger support so it could work especially because many are tired of Charles le Teméraire war.
So he finally choose to went in Ghent because after all the best French diplomat will be him, and he will not go alone he will be accompanied of Jean de bourgogne-Nevers.
The fact that Maximilian desperately start to launch an invasion and that Marguerite try also to get Edward launch an invasion should help him to be seem like a savior and he couldn't wait even if his advisor prevent Mary to choose Maximilian side until now but it became difficult and he almost complete his preparation.
and so in end of April beginning of May Louis XI finally reach Ghent and when he announces itself, it was a big shock, in beginning, they think that it was Jean de Bourgogne-Nevers the diplomat, but this last one was on the left of another man poorly dressed that make people laugh until some Flemish noble recognize their king.
This king let people dubious many people in Ghent dislike him he was one of their most fervent opponent and was described negatively by Burgundians elite, but some respected him because he make good things for burgher and he stay their king because Flanders was still technically part of French royalty, and he was also respected and fears for what he have make.
The universal spider wasn't really happy he would largely prefer the discussions of corridors and secret message that these large meetings, he know perfectly well that in this case people because pride would refuse some arrangement that they could make in secret. Fortunately for him he started negotiation with many people before this event and launch his web with his horseman and with that he get one step ahead, for now it was divided in three clan the most powerful was the pro-French party that want a franco-burgundian union, and make a strange union between the burgher king and noble, the second was the Dutch burgher estate, because most of his partisan come from, Holland, Zealand, Flanders, .... Mostly composed of burgher or some noble that defend Burgher it want more autonomy and was totally against an union because they fear Louis XI but are not really for an wedding with Hapsburg even if they feel that they are their last hope. The last one surprisingly not so weak was the pro-Mary part , composed of multiple loyal supporter like Philippe von Kleve heer of Ravenstein, Wijnendaele and Enghien but most of his support come from the free-county or palatine county of Burgundy, Hainaut, Luxemburg and some another place, and were for an wedding with Maximillian of Hapsburg
The discussion will be pretty difficult, because they get different agenda but for Louis XI the most important was to gain support of pro-Mary faction with them, burgher isolated could do nothing and Maximilian could never win the war.
When he come back for argue, problem start in beginning, he wanted to saw Mary of Burgundy but many wasn't for this, fortunately for him seen Marguerite was in England therefore the Chancellor Hugonet and Sire d'Humbercourt manage that an meeting happen by attend the meeting and witness this.
The meeting was pretty interesting, Mary of Burgundy was still against an wedding with Charles VII but pro-French party was the most influent and manage to get Marry in more favorable disposition.
She was still for an wedding with the successor of Frederick III , but she want almost all protect her realm. Well educated, she try to get the better wedding, but never fully accept this proposal still hoping that Maximilian will won the war
Fortunately both intelligent they could share some agenda for general estate, and Netherlands bourgeois will suffer the most of it.
They manage to kept some stuff, first Louis Xi wanted to kept French usage in Burgundians estates because it will improve French influence in future, and Mary wanted a common language to unite his realm. She was forced to abandon Gueldrian possession but it was not a big chock, Adolph of Guelders was already duke since his liberation she just acknowledge that and seen Louis Xi wanted an wedding she profit of it to profit of it to change a little fact.
Since Frederic III was busy to fighting Hungary and lost he didn't took attention of what will happened that will profit of France
Many territories was under Burgundians influence but it was just that, like duchy of Cleve, bishop of Ultrecht but they came for general estate and participate in debate, it will change nothing because they are link to duchy of Burgundy and have right to participate like Jean von Kleve member of the Order of the Golden Fleeceor or the bishop David de Bourgogne member of (Valois-Burgundy house). But it will imply that France will follow this line and could gave them casus belli in future.
She was forced to give many right to Netherlands parliament and abolished Great council of Mechelen unfortunately Louis XI refused to help her with that he didn't want a strong parliament against Paris, Louis XI didn't want give back French territories took and worst he supported that Jean de Bourgogne-Nevers will took the title of Duchy of Brabant but he assured her that she could kept Duchy of Limburg , that make her angry fortunately Louis XI was favorable that she could kept his right to launch war, marry, led tax because it would be a burden for his successor if Mary loose these right.
But Mary will not forget betrayal of Netherlands and loyalty of his meridional possession. And so discussion continued helped with Mary support Louis Xi manage to dictate this term and they saw many of these prerogative leave and come back in Mary hand that make them angry but they couldn't do anything, because they could still lose anything, fortunately they manage to kept the end of centralisation of Burgundy; General estate choose to acted wedding between Charles VII and Mary of Burgundy with accord of Archbishop of Liege even if she still refuse argue that Charles VIII is still too young, and asking more time to prepare a timetable agreement For a betrothal she know that Maximilian comeback with an army and manage to gain time.
But Louis XI was pretty confident Edward will still not move, and his diplomat manage to connect Scottish rebel with George duke of Clarence also Maxilliam didn't have claim and only a little army.
All his men was called to defend duchy of Burgundy and he manage to get support of some territories even if some rebel join Maximilian side, the Burgundians succession war will started or like some Burgundians chronicler was going to say the second act had just begun.
source wikipedia, Marco Zanoli (sidonius)
change under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
In this chapter 03 we get the point of view of the french king and in the next chapter it will be the point of view of Edward IV of England
Tank you DracoLazarus for your proofread even if he only correct the first part before The dotted lines
Warning it's the french king point of view therefore not objective and we will see that he almost made a big mistake in the next chapter
And sorry for the wait
