John the Fearless: The Growth of Burgundian Power (Revised) (History of Valois Burgundy)

This is part 2 of the reissue in a condensed manner of Richard Vaughan's seminal 1962-73 Dukes of Burgundy the most complete study of the Valois Duchy of Burgundy.John (1371 - 1419) was the second Valois Duke of Burgundy and ruled since 1404. When heir to Burgundy he was one of the leaders of the French forces sent to aid King Sigismund of Hungary in his war against the. When fighting in the battle of Nicopolis (1396) with great bravery the was given the nickname of Fearless (Sans-Peur).His rule was dominated by the already existing conflict with his first cousin Louis of Orléans, younger brother of the increasingly mad King Charles VI, over the control of France. It was an ugly civil war, finally erupting when Duke Johan ordered the murder of his cousin Louis of Orleans in 1407. Peace was sworn and broken shortly afterwards. The English invasion brought furhter chaos to France. Ant one of his mighty magnate did not do anything to help: his troops took no part in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The French crown grew more and more helpless. The heir of France, the future Charles VII, tried to bring the Duke on his side, who occupied his capital Paris. On the grounds that peace was not sufficiently assured by the Pouilly meeting, a fresh interview was proposed by the Dauphin to take place on September 10, 1419 on the bridge at Montereau. John of Burgundy was present with his escort for what he considered a diplomatic meeting. He was, however, assassinated by the Dauphin's companions. So ended the all mighty Duke of Burgundy by the same method as he had used against his cousin.It is a monumental struggle, showing the ugly sides of feudel society and magnates and kings not devoted to the common good. A family struglle pulling down the whole country. It is a fascianting but ugly read. John is properly the least likeable of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy. A great historcial study.