What led to the decline of Ducal Burgundy?

The decline of Ducal Burgundy was primarily due to political instability, military defeats, and the death of Charles the Bold.

Ducal Burgundy, a significant power in the late Middle Ages, began to decline due to a combination of political instability, military defeats, and the death of its last Valois Duke, Charles the Bold. The political instability was a result of the complex and often contentious relationships between the various territories that made up the Duchy. These territories, which included parts of modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, were not united under a single legal or administrative system, leading to frequent conflicts and power struggles.

The military defeats suffered by Burgundy also played a significant role in its decline. The most notable of these was the Battle of Nancy in 1477, where Charles the Bold was killed. This defeat marked the end of Burgundy's ambitions to establish a middle kingdom between France and the Holy Roman Empire. The loss of Charles, who had no male heir, created a power vacuum that further destabilised the Duchy. His daughter, Mary of Burgundy, succeeded him, but her rule was fraught with difficulties. She faced opposition from the French king, Louis XI, who sought to reclaim the Duchy for France, and from the Estates General of the Netherlands, who resisted her attempts to centralise power.

Moreover, the economic situation in Burgundy was deteriorating. The Duchy's wealth had been built on trade, particularly in luxury goods such as textiles and spices. However, by the late 15th century, new trade routes were opening up that bypassed Burgundy, leading to a decline in its economic importance. The Duchy was also heavily in debt due to the extravagant lifestyle of its court and the cost of its military campaigns.

In conclusion, the decline of Ducal Burgundy was a result of a combination of political instability, military defeats, and economic difficulties. The death of Charles the Bold, the last Valois Duke, marked the end of an era and the beginning of a period of decline and fragmentation for the Duchy.