Mary Takes Control of the Kingdom

Following the death of the male line of Burgundy, the Duchy itself passed back to the French king. The Kingdom of Burgundy itself had no such restrictions on its inheritance law however, and Mary of Burgundy, first dismissed by her grandfather as "only a girl," came to rule the remaining Burgundian lands. \n\nNot only would she have to contend with the powerful neighbors of a now diminished Kingdom, but she also had to negotiate the politics of the provinces of the Netherlands. Seeking independence, these states challenged Mary's authority at every turn. She would finally subdue their challenges by issuing the Great Privilege, ensuring their interests were protected.