Philip the Bold

Philip II the Bold (French: Philippe II le Hardi; Dutch: Filips de Stoute; 17 January 1342 – 27 April 1404) was Duke of Burgundy and jure uxoris Count of Flanders, Artois and Burgundy. He was the fourth and youngest son of King John II of France and Bonne of Luxembourg. Philip was the founder of the Burgundian branch of the House of Valois. His vast collection of territories made him the undisputed premier peer of the Kingdom of France and made his successors formidable subjects, and later rivals, of the kings of France. Philip played an important role in the development of gunpowder artillery in European warfare, making extensive and successful use of it in his military campaigns. By political marriage, from 1384 Philip gained control over Flanders, one of the wealthiest provinces of Europe in that time. He and his successors ruled it until 1482. This period is referred to as the Burgundian Netherlands.