THE CIRCLE OF BURGUNDY

Spanish, imperial or French? The possession of the Free-County of Burgundy, annexed by France in the XVIIth century, was harshly disputed by various sovereignties over centuries. A nation of its own within the Holy Roman Empire, the French-speaking County actually came to represent the core of Habsburg supremacy, and was consequently submitted to constant attacks from the kings of France, not simply for strategic or political, but for ideological reasons: seizing the emblematic County amounted to tilting the European balance in favour of French influence by symbolically striking at the root of Habsburg power. Hence the permanent use of illegal weapons, and the genocidal raids against Burgundy, leading to an illegitimate outcome. The conquest of the Free-County of Burgundy resulted from the clash between two rival blocs. This state may well have been sacrificed to European interests and peace under Louis XIV. It is time a few myths were remembered, a few truths acknowledged, and a few tales debunked. This study is based on the supremacy of the nascent law of nations which the pre-annexation Burgundian authors and statesmen constantly referred to in order to claim their rights.

A teacher and lecturer in languages in France and England, the author has published several books in poetry and history. She has delved into ancient local publications and archives to write this study.