Margaret of Bavaria: The Duchess Who Governed Burgundy During John the Fearless’s Absences

Margaret of Bavaria: The Duchess Who Governed Burgundy During John the Fearless’s Absences

We have recently been finding out about some of the people connected to John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, so today I want to find out a little about his wife, Margaret of Bavaria.

Margaret was born in 1363 and was the daughter of Albert I, Duke of Bavaria-Straubing and Count of Hainault, Holland and Zeeland and Margaret of Brieg.

In April 1385, Margaret married John, then Count of Nevers, at Cambrai. Their marriage formed part of an important double wedding between the Burgundian and Bavarian families. At the same time, Margaret’s brother William married John’s sister, Margaret of Burgundy.

When John’s father, Philip the Bold, died in 1404, John became Duke of Burgundy and Margaret became Duchess of Burgundy.

Margaret was far more than simply the duke’s wife. John spent considerable periods away from Burgundy because of his involvement in French politics.

 Margaret increasingly took responsibility for affairs in his territories, and in 1409 she was formally appointed his deputy in Burgundy, allowing her to govern there during his absences. She therefore played an important role in maintaining Burgundian authority while her husband concentrated on events elsewhere.

Margaret and John had several children who would go on to form important political marriages across Europe. Their only surviving son was Philip the Good, who later became one of the most powerful dukes of Burgundy. Their daughters included Anne of Burgundy, who married John, Duke of Bedford, and Agnes, who married Charles I, Duke of Bourbon.

In 1419, Margaret’s life changed dramatically when John the Fearless was killed during a meeting with the future Charles VII of France at Montereau.

Their son Philip succeeded him as Duke of Burgundy, but Margaret continued to play a political role. Philip confirmed her authority to govern Burgundy during his absences, and she acted as regent until 1423.

Margaret died in Dijon on the 23rd of January 1424, having lived through one of the most turbulent periods in Burgundian and French history.

Image info:
Date: 16tg century
Collection: Hospice Comtesse