Burgundian Succession: Austria's Strategic Maneuvering

The War of the Burgundian Succession, which took place from 1477 to 1482, was a conflict over the partition of the Burgundian hereditary lands between the Kingdom of France and the House of Habsburg. The conflict was triggered by the death of Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy at the Battle of Nancy on 5 January 1477, who left no male heirs. His only child, Mary of Burgundy, claimed all of her father's lands with the support of nobles and regional assemblies in several provinces. To secure her inheritance, Mary married the Habsburg archduke of Austria, Maximilian I, joining the houses of Burgundy and Habsburg. This union, along with intense diplomatic and military efforts by Maximilian, helped retain the Burgundian hereditary provinces, despite opposition from King Louis XI of France, who attempted to secure French control over the Burgundian inheritance through a proposed marriage between his son and Mary.

Marry Burgundy

As the player, your goal is to marry Burgundy to your ruler. This will be easier if you are the Emperor and have high prestige. You can increase your chances of a marriage by allying with Burgundy and keeping relations high. One strategy is to go to war with an ally of Burgundy, get Burgundy to 100% warscore, and hope that they accept a marriage proposal.

Historically, Mary of Burgundy, the only child of Duke Charles the Bold, married the Habsburg archduke of Austria, Maximilian I, on 19 August 1477. This union joined the houses of Burgundy and Habsburg. Mary claimed all of her father's lands, which were opposed by King Louis XI of France, who wanted Mary to marry his son and heir, Charles. Maximilian fought off both France in the south and Guelders in the north, and suppressed internal revolts, mainly in Flanders. He used diplomacy to retrieve French-occupied Burgundian territories and threatened France with an Imperial war, which led to a ceasefire and the return of some border cities.

In the game, you can also attempt to keep Burgundy at war so that both the Burgundian ruler and heir die, which will trigger a new marriage. However, this strategy is time-consuming and may take many years. Additionally, there is no guarantee that Burgundy will choose you as their marriage partner, as they may prefer the Emperor, France, or a strong ally.

Be emperor

To get the Burgundian Succession as Austria in Europa Universalis IV, it is important to understand the conditions that trigger the event and the factors that influence Burgundy's choice of a successor. Firstly, the event is only triggered if Charles of Burgundy dies without a legitimate heir or with a young heir below the age of 15. This can be challenging because Charles starts relatively young, and the event cannot be triggered after 1500.

Assuming the event is triggered, Burgundy will then choose between France, Austria, a country they have a royal marriage with, or none of the above. As the Emperor, your goal is to increase the likelihood that Burgundy selects Austria as their successor. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

• Strengthen Austria: Ensure that Austria is stronger than France. This can be done by building a powerful economy, military, and alliances. A strong Austria is more appealing to Burgundy as it increases the chances of protecting their inheritance.
• Rivalry with France: Foster a rivalry between Burgundy and France. This can be done by taking actions that negatively impact Burgundy's opinion of France, such as competing for territory or engaging in diplomatic maneuvers. A negative relationship with France makes it less likely that Burgundy will choose them as their successor.
• Royal Marriage: Establish a royal marriage between Austria and Burgundy. This can be a deciding factor, as Burgundy often chooses their strongest ally or a country with a royal marriage. Even if you cannot directly influence Burgundy's choice, being allied with their strongest ally can indirectly increase your chances.
• High Prestige: Maintain high prestige for Austria. Prestige reflects the standing and reputation of a country, and it can influence Burgundy's perception of Austria as a potential successor. Focus on achievements and victories that enhance Austria's prestige.
• Diplomacy: Engage in diplomatic maneuvers to improve relations between Austria and Burgundy. Keep relations positive and amicable. This can involve treaties, alliances, or other agreements that benefit both parties. The better the relationship between the two countries, the more likely Burgundy is to choose Austria.
• Influence the HRE: As the Emperor, you have the ability to influence the members of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE). Rally support within the HRE for Austria's claim to the Burgundian Succession. This can involve diplomatic negotiations, favors, or leveraging the power of your position as Emperor.

Remember, even with these strategies, the outcome is not guaranteed. The Burgundian Succession event has multiple possible outcomes, and Burgundy's choice can be influenced by various factors, including their current situation and the strength of their relationships. However, by following these steps, you can increase the chances of Austria being selected as the successor during the Burgundian Succession event.

Go to war with Burgundy's allies

When attempting to get Burgundian succession as Austria, going to war with Burgundy's allies can be a viable strategy. Here are some key considerations for this approach:

Firstly, identify Burgundy's allies. This can include historical allies such as France, as seen in the War of the Burgundian Succession, where France and Burgundy had a dynastic alliance. Assess the current alliances and rivalries Burgundy has with other nations. Look for opportunities to exploit any rivalries or tensions between Burgundy and its allies to potentially weaken their collective stance.

Once you have identified Burgundy's allies, start strategizing your approach. You can attempt to isolate Burgundy by disrupting its alliances. This can be done through diplomatic means, such as negotiating with their allies or offering incentives for them to remain neutral in the conflict. Alternatively, you can apply military pressure by engaging in skirmishes or limited conflicts with Burgundy's allies, aiming to weaken their resolve or create divisions within their alliances.

When you feel you have created enough leverage, declare war on Burgundy's allies. Choose your targets wisely, considering their proximity to Burgundy, their military strength, and the potential for gaining strategic advantages. By engaging in this conflict, you aim to stretch Burgundy's resources thin and create a two-front war, similar to the situation faced by Louis XI of France during the War of the Burgundian Succession.

During the war, focus on achieving a 100% warscore. This means completely defeating and occupying your targets, forcing them to accept your demands. This step may require significant military commitment and strategic planning, as you will need to balance your efforts between fighting Burgundy's allies and potentially defending against other rivals.

Finally, once you have successfully defeated Burgundy's allies and achieved a favourable peace settlement, you can turn your full attention to Burgundy itself. With its allies defeated, Burgundy may be more vulnerable and willing to negotiate a settlement that includes your succession. However, be mindful that other factors, such as internal revolts or interventions from other powers, may still come into play, so remain adaptable and continue to exploit any opportunities that arise.

Keep Burgundy at war

Keeping Burgundy at war is a strategy to increase your chances of obtaining the Burgundian Inheritance as Austria. The objective is to have both the Burgundian ruler and heir die in battle, triggering the succession event. Here are some key considerations for this strategy:

Firstly, it is essential to be at war with an ally of Burgundy, not directly with Burgundy itself. This tactic increases the likelihood of the Burgundian ruler and heir participating in battles, potentially leading to their demise. Getting Burgundy to a 100% warscore can also be beneficial, as it increases the chances of their ruler becoming a general, making them more vulnerable. However, this strategy can be time-consuming and may not always yield the desired results.

Secondly, focus on maintaining strong alliances and royal marriages with Burgundy. By allying and royal marrying Burgundy early, you can prevent them from seeking other strong alliances that could potentially benefit from the Burgundian Inheritance. It is also crucial to keep relations high with Burgundy to increase your chances of being chosen as the senior partner in a potential union.

Additionally, it is advantageous to be the strongest nation on the continent, with high prestige. This position of strength can influence Burgundy's decision-making and make them more likely to favour your alliance. However, it is important to note that even with these strategies, there is no guaranteed way to ensure you receive the Burgundian Inheritance. It largely depends on Burgundy's opinion of you and the presence of other strong allies or royal marriages they may have.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Burgundian ruler, Charles, plays a crucial role in the succession. After his death, Burgundy will almost always choose an ally or the emperor, as they typically dislike France. However, if Burgundy has other strong alliances and royal marriages, there is a chance that another nation could be chosen as the senior partner. Therefore, it is essential to focus on maintaining positive relations and ensuring you are their strongest ally.

In summary, keeping Burgundy at war by engaging in conflicts with their allies can increase the chances of the Burgundian ruler and heir dying in battle, triggering the succession event. However, it is essential to couple this strategy with strong alliances, royal marriages, and maintaining a position of power to increase your chances of obtaining the Burgundian Inheritance as Austria.

Marry a member of the Emperor's line

In the context of the War of the Burgundian Succession, which took place from 1477 to 1482 (or 1493, according to some historians), marriage was a key strategy employed by various players to secure control over the Burgundian hereditary lands. The conflict arose after the death of Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy, who left no male heirs. His only child, Mary of Burgundy, claimed her father's lands with the support of nobles and regional assemblies in several provinces. To secure her inheritance, Mary married Maximilian I, the Habsburg archduke of Austria, joining the houses of Burgundy and Habsburg. This union faced opposition, particularly from King Louis XI of France, who also sought control over the Burgundian inheritance.

Maximilian's rule in the Burgundian lands was challenged, especially after Mary's untimely death in 1482. To navigate these challenges, Maximilian employed both diplomatic and military strategies. He negotiated with King Louis XI, reminding him of the 1475 Peace of Soleuvre to retrieve French-occupied Burgundian territories. He also leveraged his relationship with his father, Frederick III, the Holy Roman Emperor, who threatened France with an Imperial war. These efforts led to a ceasefire and the return of some border cities.

The marriage of Mary and Maximilian produced a daughter, Margaret, who became a key piece in the ongoing power dynamics. Margaret was betrothed to the Dauphin Charles, the son of King Louis XI. This arrangement formed the basis of the Treaty of Arras, signed in 1482, which included territorial concessions by both parties. However, in 1491, Charles decided to abandon the idea of marrying Margaret, renouncing the Treaty of Arras. To avoid further conflict, a new treaty, the Treaty of Senlis, was concluded, and Margaret's dowry, which included significant parts of the Burgundian realm, was returned to the Habsburgs.

In summary, marriage was a crucial tool in the struggle for control over the Burgundian succession. By marrying into the Emperor's line, Mary of Burgundy and her descendants were able to secure their claim and navigate the complex political landscape of the time.

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