Kingdom of Burgundy

The Kingdom of Burgundy was a name used for several different kingdoms during the Middle Ages. These kingdoms were named after the Germanic tribe of the Burgundians and were centered in a region called Burgundy. This area is located near the border between modern-day France and Switzerland, and includes famous cities like Geneva and Lyon.

Over time, Burgundy existed in many different forms and with changing borders. In the 9th century, it was split into Upper and Lower Burgundy and Provence. Two main kingdoms were called the Kingdom of Burgundy — one that began around the 6th century and another that started around the 11th century. Later, other states like the Kingdom of Provence, the Duchy of Burgundy, and the County of Burgundy also came into existence.

Kingdom of the Burgundians (411–534)

Main article: Kingdom of the Burgundians

The Kingdom of the Burgundians was named after a Germanic tribe called the Burgundians. These people originally lived on an island called Bornholm before moving to areas that are now parts of Switzerland and France. They settled in a region known as Sapaudia and later expanded toward the Rhône valley.

Over time, the Burgundians faced many challenges. They fought with nearby groups and also had to deal with changes in leadership. Eventually, their kingdom was defeated by the Franks, a powerful group from what is now France, and their lands were taken over in the year 534.

Merovingian Burgundy (534–751)

Burgundy was an important part of the Frankish realm, along with Austrasia and Neustria. During certain periods, between 561 and 592 and again between 639 and 737, some Frankish kings from the Merovingian dynasty called themselves "King of Burgundy". Even though there was no separate Burgundian kingdom anymore, Burgundy stayed one of the three main areas in the Frankish lands.

Carolingian Burgundy (751–879)

After the Carolingian emperor Charlemagne passed away, his family split his large empire. One part became called Middle Francia, ruled by emperor Lothair I and including lands from the North Sea to southern Italy. The northwestern part of the old Burgundian lands joined the kingdom of West Francia as the Duchy of Burgundy, with its capital in Dijon.

Later, Lothair I divided his lands among his three sons. The youngest son, Charles of Provence, received the areas of Lower Burgundy and Provence. Because Charles was too young to rule alone, a regent named count Girart II of Vienne helped guide the kingdom. Eventually, after Charles passed away, the lands were split between his brothers, Lothair II and Louis II.

Lower and Upper Burgundy (879–933)

Main articles: Lower Burgundy and Upper Burgundy

After the leader Charles the Bald was removed in 877, a noble named Boso of Provence declared himself the "King of Burgundy and Provence" in the city of Vienne in 879. Boso ruled until his death in 887. Then, Rudolph I created a kingdom called Upper Burgundy around Lake Geneva and the area near Besançon. At the same time, Boso’s young son Louis became king of Lower Burgundy in Valence. Later, in 933, Rudolph II brought both kingdoms together to form one Kingdom of Burgundy.

Kingdom of Burgundy-Arles (after 933)

Main article: Kingdom of Arles

The Kingdom of Burgundy existed until 1032, though its rulers did not control much beyond the area around Lake Geneva. In 1032, the kingdom became part of the Holy Roman Empire under Conrad II, who was crowned twice—in Payerne Abbey in 1033 and again in Geneva Cathedral in 1034 after defeating a rival claimant, Odo II of Blois. After this, Burgundy became one of three kingdoms within the Empire, along with the Kingdom of Germany and the Kingdom of Italy. Later, from the 12th century onward, it was called the Kingdom of Arles.

Over time, the kingdom broke apart as lands were passed to different heirs or changed hands through treaties and royal marriages. Even powerful emperors like Frederick I and Charles IV only occasionally visited, though they were crowned in Arles in 1178 and 1365. Frederick also held an important meeting in Besançon in 1157, showing that Burgundy still held some significance within the Empire.

Valois revival attempt

In the late 15th century, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, wanted to bring together his lands — the Duchy of Burgundy, Franche-Comté, and the Burgundian Netherlands — to create a new Kingdom of Burgundy with himself as king. He even talked with Emperor Frederick III about having a special ceremony at Trier to make this happen. But the emperor left suddenly one night in September 1473 and the big ceremony never occurred. Later, Charles the Bold lost his duchy after he was defeated at the Battle of Nancy in 1477.