Walking on the Silver Line: A Valois-Bourgogne TL
- Thread starter Liminia1
- Start date
Chapter 18: To shatter the balance of power 1489 - 1496
The expansionist tendencies of Charles VIII toward Italy, especially Naples could be linked to his childhood seeing his father inherit the rich duchies of Anjou and Provence after Charles IV's death, more likely to Charles VIII it was the ambitious Burgundians that drove his ambitions southward. The loss of such a rich county as Champagne would pressure Charles to march south and claim a far richer and more prosperous land, the Kingdom of Naples. In 1481, the death of Charles IV of Anjou, passed the claim to the kingdom of Naples as the disputed heir of Joanna II of Naples. However due to Louis XI's passing and the fact that Charles IV never actually invaded Naples in his lifetime, this claim was quite weak, unfortunately an ace in the hole in the form of a death and a pope would occur.
Ferrante I of Naples was by all extents an incredible monarch, being able to establish a firm independent Naples away from Aragon and away from the ever powerful pope. This careful foreign and domestic policy would be standard of Italy throughout the 1470s and 1480s while alliances were formed increasingly with outside powers, they would never directly intervene in Italian affairs, this centralized style of foreign policy would be further displayed in the war of Ferrara between Venice and the various Italian powers wishing to limit Venetian growth in Italy, while various Italian powers were involved in the war such as Naples, the Papacy and Venice. Importantly no foreign powers were intervening, Burgundy's alliance with Naples was not triggered nor did this war trigger the ire of Aragon, or the Emperor. This fragile idea of an Italian centric foreign policy ironically shown by Ferrante I of Naples would immediately break upon his death.
The succession of Ferrante I of Naples would leave Naples in an incredibly strong position militarily and diplomatically but cash strapped. The papacy who still had great power over Naples demanded the traditional papal fief tax for the succession for Alfonso II who was his heir. However, Alfonso would refuse the fief tax due to the crown being cash strapped and the papacy would invite once again Charles VIII to take the throne. Already in 1489, Pope Innocent VIII excommunicated the old King Ferrante I of Naples over the feudal relation with Naples and invited Charles VIII to take the throne of Naples however the turbulent and yet balanced regency of France would forbid any attempt at invading Naples as Philip the Rich would continue his alliance with the Neapolitans that was formed at the time of Charles the Absolute who wanted Naples as a counterbalance against Milan, France's strongest ally in Italy at the time.
The death of Louis XI would not fundamentally change Burgundian policy towards Italy during this time, already under Charles the Absolute, Burgundy had practically all of Italy under their thumb, with Savoy a practical vassal, Milan a new Burgundian ally, Venice seeking to not alter the balance a reluctant Burgundian ally, the papacy favouring the Burgundians over the French ever since the pragmatic sanction of Bourges. Importantly for Burgundy was the alliance with Naples, which formed the basis of Ferrante's policy as Burgundy was far away from Naples and had no interest in the kingdom of Naples and willing to stop any strong power controlling Italy such as France and the newly formed Spain. The drift of Milan towards France rather than Burgundy would begin under the reign of Ludovico Sforza as regent. Ludovico would reverse the policy of alignment towards Burgundy as he saw Savoy fall into de facto vassalage and seeing France regather its strength. Ludovico would invite Charles VIII to help secure his regency against the Neapolitans.
Isabella who was the daughter of the king Alfonso II of Naples and was the one woman who opposed Ludovico's regency and perhaps her strongest ally and could counter France was Burgundy, unfortunately circumstances would befall upon the Burgundians as the peace of 1491 in the treaty of Dijon signed away a truce that would last until 1496, which forbid Burgundy from directly intervening in Neapolitan interests while the double crowned king, Maximilian would side with Ludovico seeking to bring a new imperial ally into Italy and strengthen imperial presence in the "shadow kingdom" that is Italy. This usurpation of Milan by Ludovico with both imperial and French backing would spell the end of the short reign that was Alfonso II of Naples.
The grand Burgundian-Italian alliance was co-opted by Charles VIII as he would march south to Naples with the full support of Milan and Venice, both Burgundian allies. The papacy who hoped to weaken the powerful kingdom opened Rome to Charles with open arms and he would march south to Italy. The extended war of the roses would lead John II to pursue neutrality as the reluctant withdrawal support of Charles VIII to a pretender would force him to declare neutrality, Burgundy already tied up with the peace at Dijon would reluctantly watch in horror as French forces under Charles VIII would stomp all over Italy. Aragon who was perhaps a permanent rival of France was bought with peace by reselling the lands Louis XI seized from Aragon due to a loan that was never paid by the Aragonese. Florence who was a French ally at the time would rise up against Charles VIII only to be crushed immediately by the French army.
Charles VIII's army was possibly the strongest army of France since the time of Charles VII, the defeat of the Swiss in Grandson by Charles the Absolute would shift Louis' military tactics as he observed the Burgundians co-opt the Swiss pike tactics and improved them significantly to absolutely annihilate the Swiss. These reforms under Louis XI would be accelerated by Charles VIII who lead this incredibly powerful French army to demolish Italian armies and fortresses. This string of victories in Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples would end with Charles VIII who was proclaimed King of Naples in February 1495. This rapid conquest would create the formation of the league of Venice and while Burgundy would not join it immediately Aragon and the Holy Roman Empire would. Burgundy at this point was itching to join the conflict and a consequence of this readiness would be the renewal of the Burgundian-Napoli alliance that was signed in 1475, granting the new king Ferdinand II of Naples the knighthood of the Golden Fleece along with a new loan of 300,000 crowns for Naples to use against France.
The battle of Rappollo would signal to Charles VIII that he had to cut his losses while he can. The new League of Venice which consisted of Aragon, Florence, Papal States, Naples, and the Holy Roman Emperor would decisively defeat the French Navy at sea which would scare Charles in terms of being able to supply his lines and began to retreat back into Milan which already betrayed the cause of Charles VIII who now lead by Louis of Orleans who was in charge of the French prescence in Milan would fight a fatal battle for Milan. The threat of excommunication would hang over Charles VIII but fortunately his army was unbeatable in the field with the victory at Seminara, Charles could pursue an orderly withdrawal. This withdrawal would be further solidified by the victory at Fornovo in which Charles decisively crushed the league and continued to march back into Milan with his army and baggage train. The siege of Novara would also further France's position in Milan as Louis of Orleans with now the full French army behind his back drove Ludovico, Duke of Milan out of Milan entirely into the arms of the Holy Roman Emperor. Maximilian at this point still quite strapped with cash from his wars in Hungary and the Fugger Family owning a portion of the income of the twice crowned king would invest Ludovico as Duke of Milan in exchange for a huge amount of cash an a full alliance with Milan.
Burgundy's joining of the war in the last phases of the Italian wars under Charles VIII was merely negotiating forcing the recognition of Ludovico as Duke of Milan and the safe passage back to France. The signing of the peace of Vercelli between Burgundy, Milan and France would conclude the Italian wars de facto and France who at this point under the watchful eye of Peter II of Bourbon would rebuild the navy hastily and continue the withdrawal of French forces in Naples with Gilbert, Count of Montpensier safely returning to France to Charles' delight. The results of the first phase of the Italian wars were clear as Italy essentially was plunder and loot for Charles VIII who used a superior army against various Italian mercenary forces. Burgundy's policy towards Italy was not as shaken compared to the Italian situation as Ludovico now realizing the power of the French, would return to the Burgundian orbit as another ally. The turbulent relation with the Italian states should not be ignored as while the marriage of Margaret of Burgundy to Ferdinand now prince of Calabria was proposed during Charles' Italian wars it would be rejected as Philip rightfully believed an independent Naples would not last, the fact Burgundy did not join the war against France until late 1496 would also push Milan to seek another backer in the form of the Habsburgs under Maximilian which those consequences would be felt in the final Swiss wars. Importantly for Burgundy, France would be forced back but quite pleased with a huge loot chest and a capable army under Charles VIII who would swear to reclaim Champagne and Naples soon after the peace.
Ferrante I of Naples was by all extents an incredible monarch, being able to establish a firm independent Naples away from Aragon and away from the ever powerful pope. This careful foreign and domestic policy would be standard of Italy throughout the 1470s and 1480s while alliances were formed increasingly with outside powers, they would never directly intervene in Italian affairs, this centralized style of foreign policy would be further displayed in the war of Ferrara between Venice and the various Italian powers wishing to limit Venetian growth in Italy, while various Italian powers were involved in the war such as Naples, the Papacy and Venice. Importantly no foreign powers were intervening, Burgundy's alliance with Naples was not triggered nor did this war trigger the ire of Aragon, or the Emperor. This fragile idea of an Italian centric foreign policy ironically shown by Ferrante I of Naples would immediately break upon his death.
The succession of Ferrante I of Naples would leave Naples in an incredibly strong position militarily and diplomatically but cash strapped. The papacy who still had great power over Naples demanded the traditional papal fief tax for the succession for Alfonso II who was his heir. However, Alfonso would refuse the fief tax due to the crown being cash strapped and the papacy would invite once again Charles VIII to take the throne. Already in 1489, Pope Innocent VIII excommunicated the old King Ferrante I of Naples over the feudal relation with Naples and invited Charles VIII to take the throne of Naples however the turbulent and yet balanced regency of France would forbid any attempt at invading Naples as Philip the Rich would continue his alliance with the Neapolitans that was formed at the time of Charles the Absolute who wanted Naples as a counterbalance against Milan, France's strongest ally in Italy at the time.
The death of Louis XI would not fundamentally change Burgundian policy towards Italy during this time, already under Charles the Absolute, Burgundy had practically all of Italy under their thumb, with Savoy a practical vassal, Milan a new Burgundian ally, Venice seeking to not alter the balance a reluctant Burgundian ally, the papacy favouring the Burgundians over the French ever since the pragmatic sanction of Bourges. Importantly for Burgundy was the alliance with Naples, which formed the basis of Ferrante's policy as Burgundy was far away from Naples and had no interest in the kingdom of Naples and willing to stop any strong power controlling Italy such as France and the newly formed Spain. The drift of Milan towards France rather than Burgundy would begin under the reign of Ludovico Sforza as regent. Ludovico would reverse the policy of alignment towards Burgundy as he saw Savoy fall into de facto vassalage and seeing France regather its strength. Ludovico would invite Charles VIII to help secure his regency against the Neapolitans.
Isabella who was the daughter of the king Alfonso II of Naples and was the one woman who opposed Ludovico's regency and perhaps her strongest ally and could counter France was Burgundy, unfortunately circumstances would befall upon the Burgundians as the peace of 1491 in the treaty of Dijon signed away a truce that would last until 1496, which forbid Burgundy from directly intervening in Neapolitan interests while the double crowned king, Maximilian would side with Ludovico seeking to bring a new imperial ally into Italy and strengthen imperial presence in the "shadow kingdom" that is Italy. This usurpation of Milan by Ludovico with both imperial and French backing would spell the end of the short reign that was Alfonso II of Naples.
The grand Burgundian-Italian alliance was co-opted by Charles VIII as he would march south to Naples with the full support of Milan and Venice, both Burgundian allies. The papacy who hoped to weaken the powerful kingdom opened Rome to Charles with open arms and he would march south to Italy. The extended war of the roses would lead John II to pursue neutrality as the reluctant withdrawal support of Charles VIII to a pretender would force him to declare neutrality, Burgundy already tied up with the peace at Dijon would reluctantly watch in horror as French forces under Charles VIII would stomp all over Italy. Aragon who was perhaps a permanent rival of France was bought with peace by reselling the lands Louis XI seized from Aragon due to a loan that was never paid by the Aragonese. Florence who was a French ally at the time would rise up against Charles VIII only to be crushed immediately by the French army.
Charles VIII's army was possibly the strongest army of France since the time of Charles VII, the defeat of the Swiss in Grandson by Charles the Absolute would shift Louis' military tactics as he observed the Burgundians co-opt the Swiss pike tactics and improved them significantly to absolutely annihilate the Swiss. These reforms under Louis XI would be accelerated by Charles VIII who lead this incredibly powerful French army to demolish Italian armies and fortresses. This string of victories in Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples would end with Charles VIII who was proclaimed King of Naples in February 1495. This rapid conquest would create the formation of the league of Venice and while Burgundy would not join it immediately Aragon and the Holy Roman Empire would. Burgundy at this point was itching to join the conflict and a consequence of this readiness would be the renewal of the Burgundian-Napoli alliance that was signed in 1475, granting the new king Ferdinand II of Naples the knighthood of the Golden Fleece along with a new loan of 300,000 crowns for Naples to use against France.
The battle of Rappollo would signal to Charles VIII that he had to cut his losses while he can. The new League of Venice which consisted of Aragon, Florence, Papal States, Naples, and the Holy Roman Emperor would decisively defeat the French Navy at sea which would scare Charles in terms of being able to supply his lines and began to retreat back into Milan which already betrayed the cause of Charles VIII who now lead by Louis of Orleans who was in charge of the French prescence in Milan would fight a fatal battle for Milan. The threat of excommunication would hang over Charles VIII but fortunately his army was unbeatable in the field with the victory at Seminara, Charles could pursue an orderly withdrawal. This withdrawal would be further solidified by the victory at Fornovo in which Charles decisively crushed the league and continued to march back into Milan with his army and baggage train. The siege of Novara would also further France's position in Milan as Louis of Orleans with now the full French army behind his back drove Ludovico, Duke of Milan out of Milan entirely into the arms of the Holy Roman Emperor. Maximilian at this point still quite strapped with cash from his wars in Hungary and the Fugger Family owning a portion of the income of the twice crowned king would invest Ludovico as Duke of Milan in exchange for a huge amount of cash an a full alliance with Milan.
Burgundy's joining of the war in the last phases of the Italian wars under Charles VIII was merely negotiating forcing the recognition of Ludovico as Duke of Milan and the safe passage back to France. The signing of the peace of Vercelli between Burgundy, Milan and France would conclude the Italian wars de facto and France who at this point under the watchful eye of Peter II of Bourbon would rebuild the navy hastily and continue the withdrawal of French forces in Naples with Gilbert, Count of Montpensier safely returning to France to Charles' delight. The results of the first phase of the Italian wars were clear as Italy essentially was plunder and loot for Charles VIII who used a superior army against various Italian mercenary forces. Burgundy's policy towards Italy was not as shaken compared to the Italian situation as Ludovico now realizing the power of the French, would return to the Burgundian orbit as another ally. The turbulent relation with the Italian states should not be ignored as while the marriage of Margaret of Burgundy to Ferdinand now prince of Calabria was proposed during Charles' Italian wars it would be rejected as Philip rightfully believed an independent Naples would not last, the fact Burgundy did not join the war against France until late 1496 would also push Milan to seek another backer in the form of the Habsburgs under Maximilian which those consequences would be felt in the final Swiss wars. Importantly for Burgundy, France would be forced back but quite pleased with a huge loot chest and a capable army under Charles VIII who would swear to reclaim Champagne and Naples soon after the peace.
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Naples can not be saved, the genie that is Italy has been let out by Charles VIII and it can not be sealed. Although we will see Juan the Sickly return, and his heir Frederick the Steadfast.
Juan?! YAY! Trastamaras rule! And curious why would the heir of spain name his heir that?
Let's just say Margaret of Burgundy plays a very important role in Spain rather than Naples.
Cool. And just very happy that Juan will make sure the trastamara dynasty continues, he deserved much better OTL.
Chapter 19: Leagues, Councils, and Confederations. 1493 - 1499
There would be two wars continuously fought that would allow the ambitious reform-minded archbishop of Mainz to make good on Maximilian's promises of reform in 1495, Maximilian did not want to pursue reform that struck down his imperial perogatives but did believe in sounder administration reforms and the eternal peace proposal. The event that would strike Maximilian and force him to pursue reform was the terrible finances of the Kingdom of Hungary and Archduchy of Austria, already the attempts at maintaining the royal authority of the crown of Hungary was quite costly as various rebellions by the magnates would rise up only to be put down by Maximilian. The Fugger Family which was a double-edged sword would provide finance to Maximilian but squeezing out every profitable estate within the realms of the twice crowned king. It would be this state of near bankruptcy that the diet of Worms in 1495 would occur.
The imperial diet of Worms would be the first attempt at imperial reform and these reforms while ambitious would be practically undone within a decade. The concept of eternal peace that was proposed by the archbishop with imperial and interestingly Burgundian support it would pass through quiet easily within the Reichstag, the institution of a penny tax was agreed to in principle much to Burgundy's anger as they sought a far weaker emperor, but various reforms such as a imperial government with the emperor as a figurehead was also rejected soundly by both Burgundy and the Habsburgs, the reasons for the Habsburgs were obvious but why was such a reform rejected by the Burgundians? This council would consist of a majority elector vote and would thereby strengthen the electoral dignity. Philip the Rich would play it safe and not risk dealing with a new devil that would be an imperial government run by electors and instead stick with the bankrupt Habsburgs. The installation of Roman Law throughout the empire was implemented with Burgundian and Habsburg support as Philip believed in Roman Law being far better in terms of governance rather than old germanic or Frankish law. Finally something that was irrelevant was the establishment of the imperial Supreme Court (Reichskammergericht) which Burgundy supported, this establishment was controlled independently and would be not directly or indirectly controlled by the emperor. Both the Habsburgs and Burgundians would not oppose this development as due to their respective privileges, this court was essentially a court of last appeal. Maximilian though as King of the Romans and de facto emperor would personally oppose this seeing it as attacking his authority as emperor but interestingly enough he approved the measure whether it was out of desperation for the common penny or his belief that the court would rightfully fall to infighting, concessions and sheer incompetence.
The most important development of the diet was the establishment of the formal imperial estates which would be Burgundy's ticket to imperial power. This under the joint development of Maximilian and Philip would divide the empire into three colleges, the electoral college, the princely college, and the free cities college. Philip would masterfully fuse both Austrian and Burgundian interests together placing the Duchy of Brabant as head of the secular princely bench, while the Archduchy of Austria would be given the title of head of the ecclesiastical princely bench. Maximilian would also favour the Kingdom of Bohemia against the archbishopric of Mainz arguably due to Maximilian's desire and hope to inherit the kingdom himself. The Kingdom of Bohemia who wasn't even present in the diet would be given the title of head of the electoral bench. The college of free cities while incredibly weak would be split up into two, the Swabian free cities and the Rhenish free cities. Philip's influence over the Rhenish Free cities would ensure that this college would be dominated by Burgundian partisans. The elevation of the archbishop of Bescanon which was a firm Burgundian partisan to second highest bishop within the empire just short of the bishopric of Salzburg would also prove to be a sticking point of Burgundian influence.
The composition of the diet was incredibly important to Burgundy, the most powerful state within the empire was Burgundy and this was firmly represented within the empire holding the most votes in both the secular and ecclesiastical benches. Burgundy with their vassals, would hold an impressive 381 votes within the princely college, with 23 votes in the ecclesiastical bench and 358 votes from the secular bench. This dwarfed the archduchy of Austria who only had a meagre 214 votes combined in the princely college. None of these princes would have a complete majority and the plurality of the Burgundians was quite tiny as the overall delegates was roughly 1500 votes and well over 2000 delegates. This cementation of the diet or the reichstag would cement Burgundy as the half of the empire with the emperor himself holding the other half in fact, the arrival of Philip the Rich to participate as Duke palatine of Burgundy was written by contemporaries as incredibly luxurious although critics would describe the arrival as vain and prideful.
The decisions of the diet would not affect Burgundy as much but it would affect its age old rival the Swiss. The Swiss confederation was already fiercely independent ever since Sigismund of Habsburg's continious defeats over his estates in the fledging confederation. The implementation of an imperial court in the form of the Reichskammergericht and the implementation of the common penny which was essentially a tax against the Swiss would already set them as rivals to the Habsburgs. The Swabian league formed in 1488 which included Sigismund was used in order to crush Swiss ambitions northward and the inclusion of Burgundy and the twice crowned king Maximilian would augment the strength of the Swabian League although to much debate and discussion as the inclusion of the Count of Alsace and the new Count of Tyrol would be backed by their respective partisans but only through an agreement with the Habsburgs and Burgundians did this league form. The Swabian wars which were a direct result of this league and the diet at Worms would occur. Sigismund of Habsburg would under his final years as count begin to increase his influence over the Ten Jurisdictions to the point of concern for the Swiss confederacy's eastward ally, the three leagues. Throughout Maximilian's reign as count this policy of slow expansion westward would force the two to sign a complete alliance in 1497.
This slow expansion would finally trigger all out war with Maximilian's conquest of Umbrail Pass which would allow Maximilian to directly intervene in Italy if successful lead to war between the Swiss and the Empire. This war would be the end of the Swiss confederation as while Maximilian was not eager to join the war directly a joint Burgundian-Savoyard attack from the Vaud region threatened Habsburg interest in the region so Maximilian now forced to move, marched towards the Three Leagues in arms. However, struggles between the Swabians, Austrians and some Swiss miracles throughout the frontline led to an impasse or a stalemate, finally in the summer of 1499, Maximilian would deal a decisive victory against the Swiss in Dornach. The now veteran armies of Austria would lead a sweeping attack finally knocking out the Swiss with the peace of Basel in 1499. To Philip the Rich, however more importantly was his steady and calm campaign into Switzerland that landed him even more favour and prestige throughout Europe.
The peace of Basel would cement Burgundian control over another remnant of the Kingdom of Arles, the Duchy of Transjurania. Philip would buy out Vaud, Bresse, and parts of Savoy and Aosta, this process took nearly two decades starting with Charles the Absolute and ending with Philip the Rich. While Basel would still be independent, the city itself would be further linked with the Prince-Bishopric of Basel who at this point thanks to Burgundian trade, bribes and finances was a new Burgundian partisan. Bern was then restored to a free city but Burgundy would annex the lands west of the Aare and turn Bern into another trophy of Burgundian subject free cities. An equally stern treaty would be sent from the Habsburg delegation, giving the entirety of the 10 Jurisdictions to Maximilian as a subject and would confirm Habsburg control over various passes into both Switzerland and Italy. The peace of Basel would be the first instance of the diarchy of the empire that would last until the protestant reformation, in which Burgundy and the Habsburgs would play a Cold War to strengthen their influence over the empire.
The imperial diet of Worms would be the first attempt at imperial reform and these reforms while ambitious would be practically undone within a decade. The concept of eternal peace that was proposed by the archbishop with imperial and interestingly Burgundian support it would pass through quiet easily within the Reichstag, the institution of a penny tax was agreed to in principle much to Burgundy's anger as they sought a far weaker emperor, but various reforms such as a imperial government with the emperor as a figurehead was also rejected soundly by both Burgundy and the Habsburgs, the reasons for the Habsburgs were obvious but why was such a reform rejected by the Burgundians? This council would consist of a majority elector vote and would thereby strengthen the electoral dignity. Philip the Rich would play it safe and not risk dealing with a new devil that would be an imperial government run by electors and instead stick with the bankrupt Habsburgs. The installation of Roman Law throughout the empire was implemented with Burgundian and Habsburg support as Philip believed in Roman Law being far better in terms of governance rather than old germanic or Frankish law. Finally something that was irrelevant was the establishment of the imperial Supreme Court (Reichskammergericht) which Burgundy supported, this establishment was controlled independently and would be not directly or indirectly controlled by the emperor. Both the Habsburgs and Burgundians would not oppose this development as due to their respective privileges, this court was essentially a court of last appeal. Maximilian though as King of the Romans and de facto emperor would personally oppose this seeing it as attacking his authority as emperor but interestingly enough he approved the measure whether it was out of desperation for the common penny or his belief that the court would rightfully fall to infighting, concessions and sheer incompetence.
The most important development of the diet was the establishment of the formal imperial estates which would be Burgundy's ticket to imperial power. This under the joint development of Maximilian and Philip would divide the empire into three colleges, the electoral college, the princely college, and the free cities college. Philip would masterfully fuse both Austrian and Burgundian interests together placing the Duchy of Brabant as head of the secular princely bench, while the Archduchy of Austria would be given the title of head of the ecclesiastical princely bench. Maximilian would also favour the Kingdom of Bohemia against the archbishopric of Mainz arguably due to Maximilian's desire and hope to inherit the kingdom himself. The Kingdom of Bohemia who wasn't even present in the diet would be given the title of head of the electoral bench. The college of free cities while incredibly weak would be split up into two, the Swabian free cities and the Rhenish free cities. Philip's influence over the Rhenish Free cities would ensure that this college would be dominated by Burgundian partisans. The elevation of the archbishop of Bescanon which was a firm Burgundian partisan to second highest bishop within the empire just short of the bishopric of Salzburg would also prove to be a sticking point of Burgundian influence.
The composition of the diet was incredibly important to Burgundy, the most powerful state within the empire was Burgundy and this was firmly represented within the empire holding the most votes in both the secular and ecclesiastical benches. Burgundy with their vassals, would hold an impressive 381 votes within the princely college, with 23 votes in the ecclesiastical bench and 358 votes from the secular bench. This dwarfed the archduchy of Austria who only had a meagre 214 votes combined in the princely college. None of these princes would have a complete majority and the plurality of the Burgundians was quite tiny as the overall delegates was roughly 1500 votes and well over 2000 delegates. This cementation of the diet or the reichstag would cement Burgundy as the half of the empire with the emperor himself holding the other half in fact, the arrival of Philip the Rich to participate as Duke palatine of Burgundy was written by contemporaries as incredibly luxurious although critics would describe the arrival as vain and prideful.
The decisions of the diet would not affect Burgundy as much but it would affect its age old rival the Swiss. The Swiss confederation was already fiercely independent ever since Sigismund of Habsburg's continious defeats over his estates in the fledging confederation. The implementation of an imperial court in the form of the Reichskammergericht and the implementation of the common penny which was essentially a tax against the Swiss would already set them as rivals to the Habsburgs. The Swabian league formed in 1488 which included Sigismund was used in order to crush Swiss ambitions northward and the inclusion of Burgundy and the twice crowned king Maximilian would augment the strength of the Swabian League although to much debate and discussion as the inclusion of the Count of Alsace and the new Count of Tyrol would be backed by their respective partisans but only through an agreement with the Habsburgs and Burgundians did this league form. The Swabian wars which were a direct result of this league and the diet at Worms would occur. Sigismund of Habsburg would under his final years as count begin to increase his influence over the Ten Jurisdictions to the point of concern for the Swiss confederacy's eastward ally, the three leagues. Throughout Maximilian's reign as count this policy of slow expansion westward would force the two to sign a complete alliance in 1497.
This slow expansion would finally trigger all out war with Maximilian's conquest of Umbrail Pass which would allow Maximilian to directly intervene in Italy if successful lead to war between the Swiss and the Empire. This war would be the end of the Swiss confederation as while Maximilian was not eager to join the war directly a joint Burgundian-Savoyard attack from the Vaud region threatened Habsburg interest in the region so Maximilian now forced to move, marched towards the Three Leagues in arms. However, struggles between the Swabians, Austrians and some Swiss miracles throughout the frontline led to an impasse or a stalemate, finally in the summer of 1499, Maximilian would deal a decisive victory against the Swiss in Dornach. The now veteran armies of Austria would lead a sweeping attack finally knocking out the Swiss with the peace of Basel in 1499. To Philip the Rich, however more importantly was his steady and calm campaign into Switzerland that landed him even more favour and prestige throughout Europe.
The peace of Basel would cement Burgundian control over another remnant of the Kingdom of Arles, the Duchy of Transjurania. Philip would buy out Vaud, Bresse, and parts of Savoy and Aosta, this process took nearly two decades starting with Charles the Absolute and ending with Philip the Rich. While Basel would still be independent, the city itself would be further linked with the Prince-Bishopric of Basel who at this point thanks to Burgundian trade, bribes and finances was a new Burgundian partisan. Bern was then restored to a free city but Burgundy would annex the lands west of the Aare and turn Bern into another trophy of Burgundian subject free cities. An equally stern treaty would be sent from the Habsburg delegation, giving the entirety of the 10 Jurisdictions to Maximilian as a subject and would confirm Habsburg control over various passes into both Switzerland and Italy. The peace of Basel would be the first instance of the diarchy of the empire that would last until the protestant reformation, in which Burgundy and the Habsburgs would play a Cold War to strengthen their influence over the empire.
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I have to at least hit 1.4k words per chapter (Don't you dare mention chapter 2)
Anyway with this last chapter my original scope of this TL is practically speaking over. The entire goal of the original TL which was Kingdom Building: A Valois-Bourgogne TL was to firmly establish Burgundy as a functioning and complete nation/kingdom. My original idea for this TL was to get Philip to finally expand his domains to their natural geographical boundaries (although the seine is a bit ambitious) however, the expansion of Philip to the Rhine or the Aare was entirely possible and unification of actual Burgundy and the Burgundian Netherlands.
OBVIOUSLY, I will continue this TL, it has been a lot of fun writing it and I am very excited to try my hand at colonialism, religious wars, protestantism and the northern/low country renaissance. In my pipe dream, I would love to tackle nationalism, the Industrial Revolution and republicanism (the French Revolution but the butterflies will certainly change that ngl) I would like to especially thank @Nova_Philomena for the idea behind this TL, which was what if Mary of Burgundy was born male? @Dragonboy for all the incessant praise every time I upload a new chapter and to all of you who have read this TL and I do hope all of you enjoyed this. I may rewrite at the very least Chapter 2 maybe a couple of other chapters if necessary. We will return to the Italian Wars part 2: Louis XII maybe tomorrow if I cook good and fast enough (unless some other event occurs that I forgot in history) See all of you later.
OBVIOUSLY, I will continue this TL, it has been a lot of fun writing it and I am very excited to try my hand at colonialism, religious wars, protestantism and the northern/low country renaissance. In my pipe dream, I would love to tackle nationalism, the Industrial Revolution and republicanism (the French Revolution but the butterflies will certainly change that ngl) I would like to especially thank @Nova_Philomena for the idea behind this TL, which was what if Mary of Burgundy was born male? @Dragonboy for all the incessant praise every time I upload a new chapter and to all of you who have read this TL and I do hope all of you enjoyed this. I may rewrite at the very least Chapter 2 maybe a couple of other chapters if necessary. We will return to the Italian Wars part 2: Louis XII maybe tomorrow if I cook good and fast enough (unless some other event occurs that I forgot in history) See all of you later.
Margaret of Burgundy would NOT be engaged to Frederick’s son Ferdinand (the one born in 1488), as they are not in direct line for the Crown. Alfonso II’s heir was his own son Ferdinand II (brother of the Isabella, Duchess of Milan and born in 1467) who was long engaged to his half-aunt Joanna (born 1480), who was daughter of Ferdinand I of Naples and his second wife Joanna of Aragon (sister of Ferdinand the Catholic)