Philip the Bold

Philip II the Bold
Later copy of an early 15th-century portrait of Philip, possibly by Jean Malouel
Duke of Burgundy
Reign	6 September 1363 – 27 April 1404
Predecessor	Philip I
Successor	John the Fearless
Regent of France
Regency	1382-1388
Monarch	Charles VI
Co-Regent	John, Duke of Berry Louis II, Duke of Bourbon
Born	17 January 1342 Pontoise, Kingdom of France
Died	27 April 1404 (aged 62) Halle, County of Hainaut
Spouse	Margaret III of Flanders ​ ​ (m. 1369)​
Issue among others	John the Fearless Margaret, Duchess of Bavaria Mary of Burgundy, Duchess of Savoy Anthony, Duke of Brabant Philip II, Count of Nevers
House	Valois-Burgundy
Father	John II of France
Mother	Bonne of Bohemia

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.^[1]

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.^[2] By political marriage, Philip gained control over Flanders, one of the most wealthy provinces of Europe in that time. He ruled it for about a century. This period is referred to as the Burgundian Netherlands.