Mary of Burgundy, the daughter of Charles the Bold, died on 27 March 1482. She was the sole heir to the wealthy, refined, and powerful Duchy of Burgundy.
Descended from the kings of France, England, Portugal, and Aragon, Mary embodied the perfect prototype of a fairy-tale princess: young, beautiful, educated, cultured, and – last but not least – immensely rich. She married Maximilian, the son of Emperor Frederick III. All contemporary sources unanimously praise their union as exceptionally happy and harmonious.
Besides its personal success, Mary’s marriage marked a turning point in European history, as it brought the vital interests of France and the Habsburgs into direct conflict for centuries. This rivalry culminated in the War of the Spanish Succession (1700–1714) and was only truly resolved after the Second World War, when French-German relations found a more stable foundation.
Mary’s death, too, had the air of a tragic fairy tale. While out hunting, she fell from her horse and broke her spine. Although she survived for a few weeks, the internal injuries were beyond the reach of medicine at the time. She died at just 25 years of age.
Both of Mary’s children, Philip and Margaret, went on to play leading roles in European politics and history.
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