Margaret of Bavaria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Margaret of Bavaria
16th-century anonymous painting of Margaret
Duchess consort of Burgundy
Tenure	1404–1419
Born	1363
Died	23 January 1424 (aged 60–61) Dijon
Spouse	John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy ​ ​ (m. 1385; died 1419)​
Issue	Catherine Marie, Duchess of Cleves Margaret, Duchess of Brittany Philip III, Duke of Burgundy Isabelle, Countess of Penthièvre and Périgord Anne, Duchess of Bedford Agnes, Duchess of Bourbon
House	Wittelsbach
Father	Albert I, Duke of Bavaria
Mother	Margaret of Brieg

Margaret of Bavaria (born in 1363 – died January 23, 1424, in Dijon) was an important noblewoman in medieval Europe. She became the Duchess of Burgundy by marrying John the Fearless, who was the Duke of Burgundy.

Margaret was known for her leadership. She acted as a regent (a ruler in place of the monarch) for the Burgundian Low Countries from 1404 to 1419 when her husband was away. Later, from 1419 to 1423, she was regent for French Burgundy while her son was absent. One of her most famous achievements was successfully defending the Duchy of Burgundy against an attack by Count John IV of Armagnac in 1419.

Margaret's Early Life and Marriage

Margaret was born in 1363. She was the fifth child of Albert I, Duke of Bavaria. Her father was also the Count of Hainault, Holland, and Zeeland, and the Lord of Frisia. Her mother was Margaret of Brieg.

On April 12, 1385, Margaret had a special wedding day in Cambrai. She married John, who was the Count of Nevers. John was the son of Philip the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, and Margaret of Dampierre. At the same time, Margaret's brother, William II, Duke of Bavaria, married John's sister, Margaret of Burgundy. This was a big double wedding that connected two powerful families.

Becoming a Duchess and Regent

When Philip the Bold passed away in 1404, and Margaret of Dampierre in 1405, John inherited all his parents' lands and titles. This meant Margaret became the Duchess of Burgundy.

In 1409, Margaret was given an important job: she was named the deputy regent of the Duchy of Burgundy. This meant she would rule Burgundy whenever her husband, John, was away dealing with other parts of his large realm.

In 1419, Margaret became a widow after John the Fearless died. Her son, Philip the Good, became the new Duke. He trusted his mother greatly and confirmed her role as deputy regent of Burgundy. Margaret continued to rule Burgundy during her son's absences from 1419 to 1423. She played a crucial role in managing the duchy during these times.

Margaret's Children

Margaret and John the Fearless had several children who went on to marry into other important European families:

• Margaret, born in 1393, later became the Countess of Gien and Montargis. She married Louis, who was the heir to the French throne. After Louis died, she married Arthur de Richemont, who later became the Duke of Brittany.
• Catherine, who passed away in 1414 in Ghent.
• Mary, who died in 1463. She married Adolph I, Duke of Cleves.
• Philip the Good (1396–1467), who became the Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders after his father. He was a very powerful ruler.
• Isabella, Countess of Penthièvre, who died in 1412. She married Olivier de Châtillon-Blois, Count of Penthièvre and Périgord.
• Joan, born in 1399, who died when she was young.
• Anne (1404–1432), who married John, Duke of Bedford.
• Agnes (1407–1476), who married Charles I, Duke of Bourbon.

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