Who was Mary of Burgundy?

The Princess with a Tragic Destiny

Marie of Burgundy, born in 1457, was the only daughter of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. Back then, Burgundy was a true empire at the heart of Europe, a political power that was both feared and respected. After her father's untimely death, she became the heir to the lands of Burgundy at just 19 years old!

But as is often the case, things don’t go as simply as one might hope. Marie, a strong and determined young woman, had to balance her ambitions with a strategic marriage, specifically to Archduke Maximilian of Austria.

Marie of Burgundy's reign was marked by a challenging economic situation, worsened by wars, epidemics, and an economic blockade imposed by Louis XI. In the face of local revolts and French attacks, she granted significant autonomy to the cities in her territories, particularly through the Great Privilege, while seeking to protect her lands.

A Cruel Fate for Marie of Burgundy

In 1482, at just 25 years old, she tragically dies in a horse accident. With the death of Marie of Burgundy, her son Philip, who is only three years old, inherits the rights to the title of Duke of Burgundy and what remains of the Burgundian State, even though it is partially occupied by the army of the King of France. Maximilian, her father, takes over the regency, a delicate task as he must also manage the resistance from the Flemish and Brabantine cities that oppose continuing the war against France.

But Marie is not just a name in a historical document. Her story is that of a young woman who defied her era and, in a way, bore the heavy crown of her father in a man's world. A feminist ahead of her time, you might say.

If you want to learn more about this wild era where princesses were much more than just crown-wearers, check out our other articles on the subject!

The story of Marie of Burgundy reminds us that sometimes, history unfolds in small steps, and that each historical figure, even the tragic ones, has a place in the grand book of the past. She deserves to be rediscovered, if only for her determination to proudly carry a name that still resonates today.