1488: Jean VI Duke of Brittany

Here is that story!
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Map 2

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The kingdom of France emerged greatly strengthened from the reign of the previous king, Louis XI (1461-1483), who defeated the most powerful rival lords. After his death, the last great lords revolted during the Mad War (1485-1488) against the regent of the young King of France Charles VIII (1483-1498). The Duke of Brittany François II participates in it and leads it very badly. It ends in total defeat. The French kept several strongholds and above all forced the duke not to marry his daughters without the agreement of the king.

A few months after the end of the Mad War, in September 1488, François II died of a fall from his horse, leaving a duchy isolated and weakened against France. As soon as François II died, Jean VI (25 years old) got involved in the politics of the duchy. He wanted to avoid another disastrous war and married his half-sister, Anne (1477-1514), to King of France in 1490. Having no children, reunion with France after the death of Jeab VI seemed inevitable. .

However John VI obtains:
1- The restitution of the strongholds occupied by the French.
2- Total financial independence.
3- Neutrality in case of conflict. Brittany will not participate in the wars of the King of France but will not be able to ally with enemies of France either. France undertakes to defend Brittany in the event of external aggression.
4- The private domain of the duke (1/4 of Brittany, 45,000 LT* of income), will go to François Ier d'Avaugour, the halfbastard brother of John VI. However, it will becomea lord like the others without privilegesindividuals.

Jean hopes that this respite can reverse the
situation. And it will allow him to finally be
able to devote himself to his passion, ocean
exploration.

*LT = Livre Tournois = 0.862 g of gold