John of Gaunt vs Mary of Burgundy

After the death of Edward III, John of Gaunt acted as regent for the young Richard II. He effectively ruled England during the early years of Richard's reign, managing the kingdom's affairs.

John of Gaunt was a target of the Peasants' Revolt, with rebels burning his Savoy Palace in London. He was forced to flee to Scotland, and the revolt highlighted the social tensions in England.

John of Gaunt led a military campaign to claim the throne of Castile through his wife, Constance of Castile. The campaign was unsuccessful, and he eventually renounced his claim in the Treaty of Bayonne.

John of Gaunt opposed the Lords Appellant, a group of nobles who sought to limit Richard II's power. His influence helped prevent a civil war, but the conflict weakened the monarchy.

John of Gaunt signed the Treaty of Bayonne with John I of Castile, renouncing his claim to the Castilian throne in exchange for a large payment and the marriage of his daughter Catherine to the Castilian heir.

Mary married Archduke Maximilian of Austria, son of Emperor Frederick III, in Ghent. The marriage brought the Burgundian Netherlands under Habsburg control, creating a powerful dynastic union that shaped European politics for centuries.

To secure support from the Estates-General after her father's death, Mary signed the Great Privilege, restoring local rights and limiting central authority. The document granted the provinces of the Netherlands significant autonomy and self-governance.

Mary's forces, led by her husband Maximilian, were defeated by the French army at Guinegate. The battle was part of the War of the Burgundian Succession, which resulted in the loss of the Duchy of Burgundy to France.

Mary died at age 25 from injuries sustained in a falconry accident near Bruges. Her death left her young son Philip the Handsome as heir, with Maximilian acting as regent, further entrenching Habsburg control over the Netherlands.