[MR] Wikipedia: Birth of Philip the Bold

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1342, Philip the Bold was born to John, Duke of Normandy
(from 1350, King John II of France, House of Valois), and Bonne of Bohemia.
Philip was John's fourth and youngest son.

Philip earned his by-name "the Bold" for the spirited defense of his father
at the 1356 Battle of Poitiers when he was just 14 years old, although both
were forced to surrender and were turned over to the Black Prince.

In 1361, following the death of 15-year old Duke of Burgundy, Philip of
Rouvres, the title and lands reverted to John. In early 1463 he passed the
Duchy of Burgundy to Philip the Bold, making him the first Duke of Burgundy
from the House of Valois.

Philip the Bold married Margaret of Flanders (Philip of Rouvres' widow),
sole heir of Louis II, Count of Flanders. Thus control of Flanders passed
to Philip the Bold. Flanders made Phil fabulously rich, thanks to the wool
trade. His wealth and growing list of territories, both within and outside
of France, made him one of the richest and most powerful men in France.

Philip was one of the three regents who ruled France during the minority of
his nephew Charles VI, and during the early years of Charles' long madness.
His two brothers on the regency council, Louis I, Duke of Anjou, and John,
Duke of Berry, had other interests, so Philip became *de facto* ruler of
France.

Philip the Bold died of natural causes in 1404. His descendants continued
to be major players in French and European politics until 1477 when Charles
the Bold got himself killed at the Battle of Nancy, but that is another
story.

Here's the Wikipedia link to Philip:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_Bold .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge 🦆
(Self-confessed Burgundy geek)