Charles the Bold

Charles succeeded his father Philip the Good as Duke of Burgundy. He inherited a wealthy and powerful state comprising the Burgundian Netherlands, Franche-Comt

Charles forced King Louis XI of France to sign the Treaty of P

Charles besieged the imperial city of Neuss for nearly a year, defying the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. The siege ended inconclusively when an imperial army approached. This conflict alienated the German princes and weakened Charles's political position.

Charles's army was defeated by the Swiss Confederacy at Grandson. The Burgundians abandoned their camp, which was looted. The defeat was a major setback, shattering the myth of Burgundian invincibility and encouraging further Swiss resistance.

Charles suffered a second devastating defeat by the Swiss at Morat. His army was routed, and he lost much of his artillery and baggage. The defeat effectively ended Burgundian ambitions in Switzerland and left Charles's state vulnerable.

Charles was killed in battle at Nancy while fighting the Swiss and the Duke of Lorraine. His body was found mutilated. His death ended the Burgundian state as an independent power, and his lands were divided between France and the Habsburgs through his daughter Mary.