Inheriting Burgundy: Austria's Strategy For Success

The War of the Burgundian Succession, which took place from 1477 to 1482 (or 1493 according to some historians), was a conflict over the partition of the Burgundian hereditary lands between the Kingdom of France and the House of Habsburg, following the death of Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy, who left no male heirs. This sparked a struggle for power between Mary of Burgundy, the only child and potential successor to the Duke, and King Louis XI of France, who sought to secure French control over the Burgundian inheritance by marrying his son and heir, Charles, to Mary. This prompted Mary to seek foreign support and make concessions to the States General of the Low Countries to secure her inheritance. The outcome of this conflict would determine how Castile would handle inheriting Burgundy as Austria, with several strategies suggested, including forming strategic alliances, manipulating royal marriages, and exploiting internal conflicts within Burgundy.

Marry and ally with Austria

If you are playing as Castile in Europa Universalis IV and want to inherit Burgundy, one strategy is to marry and ally with Austria. Here are some tips to consider:

Firstly, focus on building good relations with both Burgundy and Austria. Improving relations can increase your chances of inheriting Burgundy, and it may also make it easier to form alliances and royal marriages. It is also beneficial to rival France, as this can influence Burgundy's choices for inheritance. However, keep in mind that even with good relations, the outcome of inheritance is still heavily based on random chance.

To marry and ally with Austria, look for opportunities to offer a royal marriage. Royal marriages end when the ruler of the offering side dies, so ensure that you are the one proposing the marriage. Additionally, keep an eye on the rulers of both Burgundy and Austria, as their deaths can trigger inheritance events. If you can get your dynasty on the throne of Austria through a royal marriage, your chances of inheriting Burgundy increase significantly.

Another strategy is to feed Burgundy a little from both France and Austria. This can be done by allying with Burgundy and ensuring that both France and Austria rival them. However, be careful not to overfeed them, as this may cause them to choose to stay independent. The goal is to make sure that neither France nor Austria is chosen by the AI for the inheritance.

Finally, becoming the Holy Roman Emperor can also increase your chances of inheriting Burgundy. As the Emperor, you have a higher chance of being chosen for the inheritance, especially if you have a royal marriage with Burgundy and meet the province requirement. Keep in mind that even with these strategies, there is still an element of randomness to the Burgundian inheritance event.

Rival France

France and Austria have a long history of rivalry, with the French-Habsburg rivalry playing out in various wars between 1494 and 1697. The rivalry between the two nations was driven by the competition for control of the Italian territories, with the French seeking allies against the Habsburgs.

As a result of this rivalry, France will likely be a key opponent if you are playing as Castile and seeking to inherit Burgundy. If Austria inherits Burgundy, they may give the lowlands to Castile, provided they are married, allied, and both rival France. However, if Castile is rivalled by Burgundy, they may choose to remain independent or ally with France, especially if they have good relations.

To improve your chances of inheriting Burgundy as Castile, you should focus on improving relations and allying with Burgundy. It is also beneficial to be the party offering the royal marriage, as marriages end when the ruler of the offering side dies. Additionally, ensure that you are eligible by becoming the HRE Emperor, having a royal marriage with Burgundy, and possessing eight or more provinces.

If you are playing as Castile and inherit Austria through a personal union, you will likely have to fight France for it. France will be a significant rival, and you may need to forcibly take Burgundy from them if they inherit it first.

Offer a royal marriage

If you are playing as Castile in Europa Universalis IV and want to inherit Burgundy, one strategy is to offer a royal marriage to Burgundy. Here are some tips to increase your chances of a successful inheritance through this method:

Firstly, it is important that you are the one offering the royal marriage, not Burgundy. This is because royal marriages end when the ruler of the offering side dies, and you are waiting for the Burgundian ruler to die to trigger the inheritance. Additionally, make sure that your royal marriage offer does not expire, and if it does, offer another one. Do not accept any offers from Burgundy, as you will lose the marriage upon their ruler's death.

Good relations with Burgundy will also increase your chances of inheriting their lands. Consider improving relations and allying with them, as well as keeping them at war so that both the Burgundian ruler and heir die, triggering the inheritance event. You can also feed them a little from France and Austria to rig the outcome in your favour and make it less likely that they will choose those nations over you. However, be careful not to overfeed them, as they may then choose to stay independent.

Another strategy is to ally and marry Austria, who is usually the Emperor. If Austria inherits Burgundy, there is an event where they might give the lowlands to you, but this requires you to be married and allied with them, as well as both of you rivalling France. Becoming the Emperor yourself as Castile can also increase your chances of inheriting Burgundy, as the Emperor always has a chance to inherit.

Finally, keep in mind that inheriting Burgundy is a random event, and even with a royal marriage, there are no guarantees. The size of your nation also matters, as you need to be large enough to inherit. Additionally, the Burgundian king needs to die without an heir, or with an heir below 50% legitimacy, for the inheritance event to trigger in the first place.

Ensure Austria has >=8 provinces

To ensure Austria has >=8 provinces, you can refer to the following strategies:

First, it is important to understand the context of the game and the relationships between Castile, Burgundy, and Austria. The inheritance of Burgundy is a key event, and good relations or alliances with Burgundy can increase the chances of inheritance. Alliances with both Burgundy and Austria, as well as rivalry with France, can influence the outcome in your favour.

Second, focus on increasing the number of provinces under Austria's control. Austria is typically divided into nine federal regions or provinces: Vorarlberg, Tirol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Styria, Carinthia, and Burgenland. Each province has its unique characteristics, such as tranquil lakes, mountainous terrain, or cultural significance. Aim to expand Austria's control over these regions to ensure it has eight or more provinces.

Third, consider the political landscape and utilize strategies such as royal marriages and rivalries. As Castile, you can offer a royal marriage to Burgundy, but be mindful that it ends with the death of the ruler. Becoming the Holy Roman Emperor (HRE Emperor) can also increase your chances of inheritance, as the emperor always has a chance to inherit. Additionally, ensure that no other eligible country with a royal marriage to Burgundy is large enough to compete.

Finally, keep in mind that the outcome is heavily based on random chance. Even with careful planning and alliances, the inheritance of Burgundy can be unpredictable. Remain adaptable and consider reloading the game if necessary to achieve your desired outcome.

By following these strategies and focusing on expanding Austria's control over its federal regions, you can work towards ensuring that Austria has eight or more provinces.

Become HRE Emperor

To become the Holy Roman Emperor (HRE) as Castile, inheriting Burgundy is a crucial step. Here's a strategy to achieve that goal:

• Forge a Royal Marriage with Burgundy: Offer a royal marriage to Burgundy, ensuring that you are the one initiating the proposal. This is crucial because royal marriages end when the ruler of the proposing side dies, and waiting for the Burgundian ruler's demise is central to your strategy. Additionally, maintain positive relations with Burgundy and strive for a strong alliance.
• Rivalry with Austria and France: Encourage Burgundy to rival both Austria and France. This tactic reduces the likelihood of Burgundy choosing either of these nations as their heir. It is especially important to foster animosity between Burgundy and Austria, as they typically hold the position of Emperor.
• Strengthen Your Position: Ensure that Castile is more influential and powerful than Austria and France. This can be achieved by having high prestige and a strong military and economic position. The weaker Austria and France are in comparison to you, the less likely Burgundy is to choose them as their heir.
• Wait for the Burgundian Succession Event: The death of the Burgundian ruler, Charles the Bold, triggers the Burgundian Succession Event. This event can significantly alter the political landscape of Western Europe. It is during this event that the members of the Holy Roman Empire will vote on how the Emperor responds.
• Seize the Opportunity: With your careful preparation, you increase the chances of Burgundy choosing Castile as their heir. However, remember that the final outcome also depends on other factors, such as the strength of Burgundy's allies and their internal stability.
• Secure the HRE Emperorship: Once Castile inherits Burgundy, you are now in a strong position to pursue the title of Holy Roman Emperor. Use your newfound resources and influence to gain support within the Empire. Forge alliances, exploit diplomatic opportunities, and assert your dominance to increase your chances of being elected as the next Holy Roman Emperor.

By following these steps, you can significantly enhance your prospects of becoming the Holy Roman Emperor as Castile, leveraging the inheritance of Burgundy as a strategic stepping stone to achieving imperial ambitions.

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