Mary of Burgundy

Mary married Archduke Maximilian of Austria, son of Emperor Frederick III, in Ghent. The marriage brought the Burgundian Netherlands under Habsburg control, creating a powerful dynastic union that shaped European politics for centuries.

To secure support from the Estates-General after her father's death, Mary signed the Great Privilege, restoring local rights and limiting central authority. The document granted the provinces of the Netherlands significant autonomy and self-governance.

Mary's forces, led by her husband Maximilian, were defeated by the French army at Guinegate. The battle was part of the War of the Burgundian Succession, which resulted in the loss of the Duchy of Burgundy to France.

Mary died at age 25 from injuries sustained in a falconry accident near Bruges. Her death left her young son Philip the Handsome as heir, with Maximilian acting as regent, further entrenching Habsburg control over the Netherlands.