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Philip the Good, painted c. 1450 by Roger van der Weyden

Born in Dijon, he was son of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria . He became duke when his father was assassinated in 1419. Philip accused Charles, the Dauphin of France of killing his father during a meeting between the two, and in 1420 Philip allied with Henry V of England under the Treaty of Troyes. In 1423 the alliance was strengthened by the marriage of his sister Anne to John, Duke of BedfordJohn of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford also known as John Platagenet ( June 20, 1389 September 14, 1435) was the fourth son of King Henry IV of England by Mary de Bohun, and acted as regent for his nephew, King Henry VI of England. He was created Earl of Kend, regent for Henry VI of EnglandThis article is about the English king. For Shakespeare's plays about his life, see Henry VI, part 1, Henry VI, part 2, and Henry VI, part 3. Henry VI ( December 6, 1421 May 21/ 22 May, 1471) was King of England from 1422 to 1461 (though with a Regent unt. In 1430Events May 23 Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiegne The Ottoman Empire captures Thessalonica from the Venetians Year in topics 1430 in art Births Deaths Christine de Pizan, noted author 1430. Philip's troops captured Joan of ArcJoan of Arc ( January 6, 1412 May 30, 1431) (also Jeanne d'Arc Jehanne la Pucelle in French, and Maid of Orleans is a national heroine of France and saint of the Catholic Church. During the Hundred Years' War she led the French against the English and was and handed her over to the English to be tried for heresyHeresy according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a "theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the ‘catholic’ or orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church. The alliance with England was broken in 1435For alternative meanings, see number 1435. Events September 21 Peace of Arras between Charles VII of France and Philip III of Burgundy, ending the English-Burgundian alliance. Francis of Paola founds the Order of the Minims in Italy. Births January 20 Ash when Philip attacked CalaisThis article is about the French city. Alternate meanings: Boreads (mythical), Calais, Maine, Calais, Vermont Calais is a city in northern France, located at 50°57N 1°52E. It is in the departement of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sous-prefecture''. and, under the Treaty of ArrasThere have been several treaties of Arras the Treaty of Arras (1435) between Charles VII of France and Philip the Good of Burgundy. the Treaty of Arras (1482) between Louis XI of France and the governments of the Low Countries the Union of Arras, the pled, recognized Charles as king of France. This alliance was broken in 1439, and in 1440 he supported the revolt of the French nobles and sheltered the Dauphin Louis.

Philip preferred to expand his own territory rather than become directly involved in the Hundred Years' War. He incorporated into Burgundian territory Namur in 1421 (by purchase from John III, Marquis of Namur ), Hainault and Holland in 1432 (with the defeat of Countess Jacqueline in the last episode of the Hook and Cod wars), Brabant in 1430, and Luxembourg in 1443.

Philip was considered an extravagant ruler who embodied the qualities of chivalry. He declined membership in the English Order of the Garter in 1422, but created his own order in 1430, the Order of the Golden Fleece, supposedly based on the Knights of the Round Table. He had no fixed capital and set up court in various places, usually Brussels, Bruges, or Lille. He held grand feasts to show off his power to his subjects, and the knights of his Order frequently travelled through his territory participating in tournaments. In 1454 he also planned a crusade against the Ottoman Empire, but this plan never materialized.

He was also a patron of the arts, commissioning many tapestries and other works of art. In 1428 Jan van Eyck travelled to Portugal to paint King John I's daughter Isabella before Philip married her. With help from more experienced Portuguese shipbuilders Philip established a shipyard in Bruges. Roger van der Weyden painted his portrait (illustration, above left) wearing the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece..

In 1463 Philip returned some of his territory to Louis XI. That year he also created an Estates-General on the French model. Philip died in Bruges in 1467 and was succeeded by his son Charles the Bold.

See also: Dukes of Burgundy family tree