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Welcome to Grand Dukes of the West

The story of Valois Burgundy is one of the most exciting of the Late Middle Ages. The four Valois Dukes of Burgundy used political intrigue, calculated splendor, economic power, and good old-fashioned violence to forge a state out of the many Duchies and Counties between France and the Holy Roman Empire. During Burgundy’s height its Dukes were seen by many as the equals of Kings and Emperors and their court was at the center of Western Europe’s cultural and political development. And then it all fell apart. Please join me as I explore the history and legacy of this forgotten kingdom.

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  • Episode 62: Bastards of Burgundy

    Two Portraits of Antoine, the Grand Bastard of Burgundy, painted by Northern Renaissance Masters Rogier van der Weyden (left) and Hans Memling (right).

    Philip the Good was known to suffer from the ‘weakness of the flesh.’ The Duke of Burgundy had dozens of mistresses and bastards throughout his life, so while we’re exploring the Burgundian Court, why not take a moment to explore Philip’s illegitimate family.

    Check out intelligentspeechonline.com for more information on the upcoming Intelligent Speech Conference, and use my promo code BOLD for 10% off!

    And don’t forget to listen to Supplemental 13: Stories from the Burgundian Court to hear some of the Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles

    Notable People: Philip the Good, Cornille of Burgundy, Anthony of Burgundy, David of Burgundy, Anne of Burgundy, Isabella of Portugal, Catherine Scaers

    Left: David of Burgundy. Right: Anne of Burgundy

    Sources

    Philip the Good by Richard Vaughan

    John the Fearless by Richard Vaughan

    Charles the Bold by Richard Vaughan

    The Court of Burgundy by Otto Cartellieri

    The Burgundians by Bart van Loo

    The Travels of Leo of Rozmital

    Corneille, Batard de Bourgogne (ca 1426–1452) in La Batardise et l’exercice du pouvoir en Europe du XIIIe au début du XVIe siècle by Alain Marchandisse

    Honor Vengeance and Social Trouble by Peter J. Arnade and Walter Prevenier

    Luxury Bound: Illustrated Manuscript Production and Noble and Princely Book Ownership in the Burgundian Netherlands by Hanno Wijsman