Charles of Anjou (1246-85)

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Denier, 19mm. Obv: K COMES PROVINCIE, central monogram. Rev: +FIL_REGIS FRANCIE, cross with two besants, one lis and one ?. Roberts 4124, not clearly in Boudeau but obv same as 814, not in Belaubre.

The Rudolphian kingdom of Burgundy did not survive and came under the influence of the Holy Roman emperor, who often wore four crowns; imperial, Burgundian, German and Italian. Burgundy was recognized as a distinct entity and ruled separately, not integrated into the greater HRE.

By the middle of the 13th C The HRE hold over eastern Burgundy, including the county, had weakened, due to the death of the emperor and territorial distractions elsewhere. About this time Charles of Anjou, brother of Louis IX of France, married Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Raymond Berenger, count of Provence. He succeeded in his suit against a number of  other claimants for her sought after hand, since she brought with her powerful and rich lands. She was 15 and he about 20 when they married in 1246.

They jointly turned their attention to Italy, where Charles received a papal offer of the crown of Sicily. Some time later the next pope (Nicholas III) sought greater control over Italy than his predecessor had exerted. Nicholas wanted to rule Italy himself. In a negotiation with the Hapsburgs (who were papal allies and controlled lands  in Burgundy) and Charles, Charles was to relinquish Sicily in return for the kingdom of Arles and Vienne. (The crown would actually go to his heir - Charles the Lame.)

Popes propose but others contest. In Italy Charles ran into problems. He manipulated the execution of Conradin, successor to Barbarossa and Frederick II and heir of King Manfred. Conradin was seen as a proponent of Italian nationalism. His death angered the Italians, who held no love for the French. The French imposed strict controls over Italian territories, rankling the local populace. In response to an instance of French abuse, the citizens of Palermo rose against the French, slaughtering thousands. This episode is referred to as the night of the Sicilian Vespers. This slowed Charles' exit from his Italian lands.

In addition, Charles met resistance to his desire to establish control over Provence and assume the proffered crown of Arles and Vienne.

The upshot of this conflict in both Italy and Provence was that the independent kingdom of Arles and Vienne was, in fact, not established. Cope refers to this time as one of the "almosts" for Burgundy. It remained un-unified and dependent, primarily on the HRE.

Source: Cope, The Lost Kingdom of Burgundy