Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy cover art

Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy

Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy

By: Josh Zucker
Listen for free

About this listen

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.Josh Zucker World
Episodes
  • Episode 54: Whose Duchy is it Anyway?
    Jun 23 2025

    After adding the Duchies of Brabant and Limburg and the Counties of Hainault, Holland, Zeeland, and Namur to his domains, Philip the Good set his sights on the Duchy of Luxembourg. But the Duke of Burgundy wasn't the only with designs on the Duchy.

    Time Period Covered: 1436-1443

    Notable People: Philip the Good, Elizabeth of Gorlitz, Ladislaus the Posthumous, William III of Saxony, Rupert of Virneburg, Ernst of Gliechen, Frederick III, Jacob von Sierck, John of Nevers, Cornille of Burgundy, Anthony of Burgundy

    Notable Events/Developments: Burgundian Acquisition of Luxembourg

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Supplemental 12: Grand Dukes of the Center Part 4 - The House of Habsburg Part 2: AEIOU
    May 26 2025

    After the Kingships of Rudolf and Albert, the Habsburg's fortunes on the Imperial Stage diminished, but the family was still one of the leading Houses in the Holy Roman Empire, and their story is far from over.

    Time Period Covered: 1290-1440

    Notable People: Albert II of Habsburg, Rudolf IV of Habsburg, Leopold III of Habsburg, Frederick of the Empty Pockets, Ernst the Iron, Albert V of Habsburg, Frederick III

    Notable Events/Developments: Birth of the Old Swiss Confederacy, Battle of Mortgarten, Battle of Sempach, Habsburg Acquisition of Carinthia and Carniola, Habsburg Acquisition of Tyrol, Privilegium Maius

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Supplemental 11: Grand Dukes of the Center Part 3 - The House of Habsburg Part 1: From Hawk Castle to Vienna
    Apr 28 2025

    When the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire chose Rudolf of Habsburg to be the new King of Germany, they were hoping that he'd be someone they could control. But Rudolf, despite being a minor Count from Swabia, would prove to be nobody's puppet, and over the course of his reign he transformed the fortunes of his family, and the Empire as a whole.

    Time Period Covered: 1250-1330

    Notable People: Rudolf I of Germany, Albert I of Germany, Ottokar II of Bohemia, Frederick the Fair, Ludwig the Bavarian

    Notable Events/Developments: Great Interregnum of the Holy Roman Empire, Election of Rudolf I, The Battle on the Marchfeld, Establishment of Landvogts, Habsburg acquisition of Austria, Election of Adolf of Nassau, Election of Albert I, Double Election of Frederick the Fair and Ludwig the Bavarian

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins

What listeners say about Grand Dukes of the West: A History of Valois Burgundy

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.