{"product_id":"john-the-fearless-the-growth-of-burgundian-power-history-of-valois-burgundy-9780851159164","title":"John the Fearless: The Growth of Burgundian Power (History of Valois Burgundy)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe aims and personality of the second duke are illuminated  and the development of the Burgundian state during his ducal reign (1404-1419) charted. His supposed infernal pact with the English and his assassination are examined;his activities in France are studied  as he exploited French resources for the benefit of Burgundy.  John the Fearless  second Duke of Burgundy  is one of the more dramatic and puzzling characters among medieval rulers. He inherited the newly created duchy from his father  and defended and developed its power ruthlessly during his ducal reign (1404-1419). In the process  he allied himself with the English party in France  with whom he was supposed to have made an infernal pact  and came to dominate French politics; his manoeuvres led directly to his assassination on the bridge of Montereau in the presence of Charles  dauphin of France  who may have been personally involved. Indeed  the main theme of the book is John the Fearlesss activities in France  which are seen in the light of the continued need to exploit French resources for the benefit of Burgundy. John also continued to build on the administrative and financial structures created by his father  which were the mainstay of the ducal power  andhe had to deal with the restlessness of the Flemish towns  only recently made part of the Burgundian state.More than any other Burgundian ruler  it is Johns personality which determines the course of events: violent and unscrupulous  one quality which John the Fearless completely lacked was prudence. He was a masterful opportunist  who acted impulsively with speed and decision  on the spur of the moment. In the end it was one of his own favoured weapons  political assassination  which was turned against him.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45652944584757,"sku":"ByrdShop_0851159168","price":32.71,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780851159164.jpg?v=1781854124","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/john-the-fearless-the-growth-of-burgundian-power-history-of-valois-burgundy-9780851159164","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}