Anne of Burgundy: The Duchess Who Helped Hold the English-Burgundian Alliance Together

Anne of Burgundy: The Duchess Who Helped Hold the English-Burgundian Alliance Together

We have been finding out about some of the people connected to John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy. We have already looked at his son, Philip the Good and Philip’s second wife Bonne of Artois. But today I want to find out a little about John’s daughter, Anne of Burgundy.

Anne was born on the 30th of September 1404. Her father was John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, and her mother was Margaret of Bavaria. Her brother Philip later became the Duke of Burgundy after their father’s death in 1419.

Anne was part of one of the most powerful noble families in Europe.

On the 13^th of May 1423, she married John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, at Troyes in France.

The marriage was politically important. Bedford was the brother of Henry V and had become Regent of France for his young nephew Henry VI. England relied on its alliance with Burgundy to maintain its position in France.

Anne’s marriage helped to strengthen the relationship between her husband and her brother Philip the Good. Anne and Bedford had no children together.

After Joan of Arc was captured and moved into English custody, Anne was in Rouen during Joan’s trial. Anne, or women acting on her behalf, reportedly examined Joan to confirm her claim that she was a virgin.

Sadly, Anne’s life was short. She died in Paris on the 13th of November 1432, aged just 28.

Her death also had political consequences. Bedford married Jacquetta of Luxembourg the following year, and his relationship with Anne’s brother Philip gradually deteriorated.

In 1435, Burgundy abandoned its alliance with England and made peace with Charles VII of France.