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The 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 Fearless's
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 John's 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.
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