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. They were centered in a region called Burgundy.

This area is located near the border between modern-day France and Switzerland. It 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 first lived on an island called Bornholm. Later, they moved to areas that are now in Switzerland and France. They settled in a place called Sapaudia and then moved toward the Rhône valley.

Over time, the Burgundians faced many difficulties. They fought with nearby groups and experienced changes in leaders. Finally, their kingdom was defeated by the Franks, a strong group from what is now France. In the year 534, the Franks took over their lands.

Merovingian Burgundy (534–751)

Burgundy was an important part of the Frankish realm, along with Austrasia and Neustria. Sometimes, between the years 561 and 592 and again between 639 and 737, some Frankish kings from the Merovingian dynasty called themselves "King of Burgundy". Even though Burgundy was not its own kingdom anymore, it remained one of the three main areas in the Frankish lands.

Carolingian Burgundy (751–879)

After the Carolingian emperor Charlemagne died, his family split his big empire into parts. One part was called Middle Francia. It was ruled by emperor Lothair I and included 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. Its capital city was Dijon.

Later, Lothair I divided his lands among his three sons. The youngest son, Charles of Provence, got the areas of Lower Burgundy and Provence. Because Charles was too young to rule by himself, a regent named count Girart II of Vienne helped him. After Charles died, 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 left in 877, a noble named Boso of Provence said he was the "King of Burgundy and Provence" in the city of Vienne in 879. Boso ruled until he died in 887. Then, Rudolph I made 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 joined both kingdoms to make one Kingdom of Burgundy.

Kingdom of Burgundy-Arles (after 933)

Main article: Kingdom of Arles

The Kingdom of Burgundy lasted until 1032. During this time, its rulers mainly controlled the area around Lake Geneva. In 1032, the kingdom joined the Holy Roman Empire under Conrad II. He was crowned twice—in Payerne Abbey in 1033 and again in Geneva Cathedral in 1034. After this, Burgundy became one of three kingdoms in the Empire, along with the Kingdom of Germany and the Kingdom of Italy. Later, from the 12th century on, it was called the Kingdom of Arles.

Over time, the kingdom split up. Lands passed to different heirs or changed hands through treaties and royal marriages. Powerful emperors like Frederick I and Charles IV sometimes 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 mattered to the Empire.

Valois revival attempt

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