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1468–1475: the duel with Charles the Bold

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Louis XI: the spider and the construction of the modern state (1461-1483) · RENAISSANCE

The years 1468-1475 were marked by the confrontation between Louis XI and Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. This conflict, made up of cunning, betrayals and diplomatic manoeuvring, culminated in the meeting at Péronne and paved the way for the annexation of Burgundy.

🏰 The meeting at Péronne (October 1468)

The context

In 1468, Louis XI, fearing an Anglo-Burgundian alliance, proposed negotiations to Charles the Bold. The duke invited him to his château at Péronne, and Louis XI went there with a small escort, confident in his ability to manipulate his cousin.

The trap at Péronne

During the talks, the city of Liège rose up against Burgundian rule. It soon became apparent that royal envoys had encouraged this rebellion.

Furious at this duplicity, Charles the Bold had the gates of the château and the town closed. Louis XI was caught in the trap, in mortal danger. Secretly warned by Philippe de Commynes (then the duke’s chamberlain), the king had no choice but to sign a disadvantageous treaty.

The Treaty of Péronne

The treaty forced Louis XI to:

  1. Accompany Charles the Bold on his punitive expedition against Liège
  2. Watch Liège burn on 30 October 1468
  3. Grant Champagne and Brie as an appanage to his brother Charles of France
  4. Accept a breach clause: should he fail to comply, the Burgundian fiefs would be released from French suzerainty

🏰 The aftermath of Péronne

Louis XI’s response

Once free, Louis XI refused to carry out the treaty:

  • He granted his brother Charles only Guyenne
  • He had his counsellor, Cardinal La Balue, imprisoned (1469)
  • He founded the Order of Saint-Michel (1469)
  • He renounced the Treaty of Péronne in December 1470

Charles the Bold’s response

In November 1471, Charles the Bold declared himself freed from the suzerainty of the king of France, in accordance with the clause of the Treaty of Péronne.

👑 The royal family during these years

Royal births

  • 1470: Birth of Charles, future Charles VIII
  • 3 September 1472: Birth of a fifth son, Francis, titled Duke of Berry (died July 1473)
  • 4 December 1466: Birth and death of the third son Francis (4 hours after his birth)

Family policy

Louis XI continued his marriage policy aimed at controlling the rival branches of the Capetians.

⚔️ The war of 1472

The invasion of Picardy

In June 1472, Charles the Bold broke the truce and invaded Picardy:

  • Massacred the population of Nesle
  • Failed before Beauvais, valiantly defended by its inhabitants (including Jeanne Hachette)
  • Ravaged Normandy without any real political gain

The Treaty of London (25 July 1474)

Charles the Bold concluded an alliance with Edward IV of England to invade France and dethrone Louis XI.

🤝 The Treaty of Picquigny (29 August 1475)

The English landing

On 4 July 1475, Edward IV landed at Calais with his army to join forces with the Duke of Burgundy.

Louis XI’s manoeuvre

Louis XI demonstrated all his skill as a negotiator:

  • He signed the Treaty of Picquigny directly with Edward IV
  • He paid 425,000 écus to the king of England
  • He thereby brought the Hundred Years’ War to an end
  • He deprived Charles the Bold of his last ally

The terms of the treaty

  • Seven-year truce between France and England
  • Annual pension of 50,000 gold écus paid by Louis XI to Edward IV
  • Planned marriage between the dauphin Charles and Elizabeth of York
  • Free trade between the two kingdoms

🏆 Consequences

For Louis XI

  • Definitive neutralisation of the English threat
  • Isolation of Charles the Bold
  • Groundwork laid for the annexation of Burgundy
  • Consolidation of his power

For Charles the Bold

  • Loss of his principal ally
  • Political isolation
  • The stage set for his fall at Nancy (1477)

For England

  • Income for the crown
  • End of claims to the French crown
  • Domestic stabilisation

🧠 Key takeaways

  • October 1468: Meeting at Péronne — Louis XI caught in a trap
  • 30 October 1468: Sack of Liège before the eyes of Louis XI
  • 1469: Founding of the Order of Saint-Michel
  • June 1472: Invasion of Picardy by Charles the Bold
  • 25 July 1474: Treaty of London (Anglo-Burgundian alliance)
  • 4 July 1475: English landing at Calais
  • 29 August 1475: Treaty of Picquigny (neutralisation of England)
  • Louis XI demonstrated his diplomatic skill
  • Charles the Bold was progressively isolated
  • Groundwork laid for the annexation of Burgundy