The New Student's Reference Work/Charles the Bold

Charles the Bold (Duke of Burgundy), son of Philip the Good of Burgundy, was born Nov. 10, 1433. He succeeded his father as duke in 1467. He was the lifelong enemy of Louis XI of France. Joining with other great nobles in fighting for what they considered their rights as against the crown, their army threatened Paris and defeated the king. The province of Burgundy had once been a kingdom, and Charles now planned to restore it by conquering Lorraine, Switzerland and Provence. In this, however, he was not successful, being twice defeated by the Swiss. Finally, in a battle against the Duke of Lorraine, fighting with his usual courage and boldness, he was killed, Jan. 5, 1477. Richer and more powerful than any prince of his time, of great size and strength, his great ambition and reckless boldness combined to make him the most striking figure of the period.