MARY OF BURGUNDY
After design by C. Laplante.

CHARLES THE BOLD
Idealised by P. P. Rubens, Vienna Gallery. (By
permission of J. J. Loewy, Vienna.)

MAXIMILIAN OF AUSTRIA
Medal.

A FORTIFIED CHURCH IN BURGUNDY
From Petit’s Hist. de Bourgogne,

KING RUHMREICH AND HIS DAUGHTER EHRENREICH
(These characters in Maximilian’s poem of Theuerdank
represent Charles and Mary of Burgundy.)
From a reproduction of a wood engraving by
Schaeufelein in edition of 1517.

A PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MORAT
Used by kind permission of Miss Sophia Kirk and
J. B. Lippincott Company.

PHILIBERT, DUKE OF SAVOY
After a design by Matthey reproduced in
Comines-Lenglet.

PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF NANCY
Used by kind permission of Miss Sophia Kirk and
the J. B. Lippincott Company.

PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF NANCY
From contemporary miniature reproduced in
Comines-Lenglet.

A MONUMENT ON THE BATTLEFIELD AT NANCY
From Barante, Let ducs de Bourgogne.

THE TOMB OF CHARLES OF BURGUNDY
Church of Notre Dame, Bruges

CHARLES THE BOLD

* * * * *

CHAPTER I

CHILDHOOD

1433-1440

On St. Andrew’s Eve, in the year 1433, the good people of Dijon were abroad, eager to catch what glimpses they might of certain stately functions to be formally celebrated by the Duke of Burgundy.  The mere presence of the sovereign in the capital of his duchy was in itself a gala event from its rarity.  Various cities of the dominions agglomerated under his sway claimed his attentions successively.  His residence was now here and now there, without long tarrying anywhere.  His coming was usually very welcome.  In times of peaceful submission to his behest, the city of his sojourn reaped many advantages besides the amusement of seeing her streets alive beyond their wont.  In the outlay for the necessities and the luxuries of the peripatetic ducal court, the expenditures were lavish, and in the temporary commercial activity enjoyed by the merchants, the fact that the burghers’ own contributions to this luxury were heavy, passed into temporary oblivion.[1]

This autumn visit of Philip the Good to Dijon was more significant than usual.  It had lasted several weeks, and among its notable occasions was an assembly of the Knights of the Golden Fleece for the third anniversary of their Order.  On this November 30th, Burgundy was to witness for the first time the pompous ceremonials inaugurated at Bruges in January, 1430.  Three years had sufficed to render the new institution almost as well known as its senior English rival, the Order of the Garter, which it was destined to outshine for a brief period at least.  Its foundation had formed part of the elaborate festivities accompanying the celebration of the marriage of Philip, Duke of Burgundy, to Isabella of Portugal.  As a signal honour to his bride, Philip published his intention of creating a new order of knighthood which would evince “his great and perfect love for the noble state of chivalry.”