Duchy of Bourgondi

Further information: History_of_Dericania § Duchy_of_Bourgondi

The Duchy of Bourgondi emerged as a significant political entity in the aftermath of the Great Confessional War. A Catholic Count, Henri-Raoul Duval Marialianus, who had led a very successful campaign to dispossess the Protest nobles of the Vialurustre Conference of their lands on the Ile Burgundie was ennobled as the Duke of the newly formed Duchy, from lands and titles of displaced Protestants on the Ile Burgundie. Established in 1575, this Catholic duchy faced the challenge of consolidating its power, solidifying its legitimacy, and positioning itself as a prominent force within the Holy Levantine Empire, but through the efforts of its dukes, especially the Marius family, they transitioned the Duchy into the Great Principality that Burgundie is today.

Duchy of Bourgondi
1575-1853
Flag
Map of Bourgondi (Burgundie) and the other coastal Dericanian states in 1854
Official language	Burgoignesc
Common languages	Latin
Religion	Catholic Church
Demonym(s)	Bergendii
Government	Absolute monarchy
Duke
Historical era	Early modern period
Preceded by Succeeded by Vilauristre Conference Duchy of Burgondia Burgundie
Today part of	Burgundie

The post-war period of the Duchy of Bourgondi established the duchy's trajectory, moving it from the scars of war toward stability, a cultural renaissance, and economic prosperity. The acquisition of vast territories and titles previously held by displaced Protestants presented both opportunities and challenges to the new dukes. They had to carefully manage the integration of these lands into a centralized governance structure, which proved difficult because the lands previously held by the Vilauristre Conference were used to a much more hands-off approach to rule and a more democratic system of government. Reconstructing war-torn regions required a comprehensive effort to rebuild infrastructure and revitalize local economies, especially with communities the armies of Henri I, the first Duke of Bourgondi, had ravaged. The restoration of roads, bridges, and buildings was not only a physical endeavor but also a symbolic act of power and legitimacy for the ducal family. Creating a robust administrative framework was pivotal for effective governance. Bureaucratic institutions and local governance bodies were established to ensure the efficient management of the duchy. The introduction of a standardized taxation system aimed at funding reconstruction underscored the pragmatic approach to stability. The emphasis on Catholic orthodoxy was a strategic move to legitimize Bourgondi's rule. By promoting Catholicism, the duchy sought to establish a distinct cultural identity and distance itself from the Protestant territories it had acquired. Religious institutions became instrumental in shaping the moral and cultural fabric of the duchy. After the successful establishment of a colonial empire, Bourgondi's patronage of the arts, support for scholars, and emphasis on cultural revival marked a period of cultural renaissance. This investment in intellectual and artistic pursuits, especially during the Template:Age of enlightenment, contributed to a renewed sense of identity and pride among its people. Diplomatic maneuvering was crucial to secure recognition of post-war territorial acquisitions. Delicate negotiations with other newly formed neighboring duchies and counties like the Duchy of Martilles, the County Palatine of Pumbria, and the County of Le Ax-Canbon, aimed at fostering alliances and safeguarding newfound stability within the Holy Levantine Empire. The focus on economic recovery involved stimulating trade, incentivizing agricultural production, and encouraging commercial activities. Bourgondi's economic revival during this period laid the groundwork for its later affluence and successful colonial expansion.

Government

List of Dukes

House of Marialianus

• Henri I-Raoul Duval Marialianus (1575-1602)
• Philippe I-Hubert Lambert Marialianus (1602-1630)
• Fransois I-Vincent Couvreur Marialianus (1630-1665)
• Louis I-Lucian Montiel Marialianus (1665-1698)
• Charles I-Gaspard Courbet Marialianus (1698-1732)
• Henri II-Philippe Viandille Marialianus (1732-1761)
• Fransois II-Charles Estes Marialianus (1761-1795)

House of Marius

• Pau I-Dantoine Marialianus Marius (1795-1823)
• Pau II-Astergale Rembraund Marius (1823-1853)

Key events

Cousins War

Further information: Cousin's War

Bourgondii-Loa Wars

Further information: Bourgondii-Loa Wars

The Bourgondii-Loa Wars were a series of conflicts and trade wars between the Bourgondii Royal Trading Company's colony of Equatorial Ostiecia and the Loa Empire from ~1700-1875. It is considering part of the wider Kiro-Burgoignesc Wars because the Loa Empire was a client state of Kiravia at the time and the Bourgondii Royal Trading Company was using the Loa to aggravate Kiravia. Unlike many other colonial ventures, the Bourgondii Royal Trading Company did not seek to settle in the territory of the Loa Empire but merely to control its international exports outside of the tribute required of Kiravia, to Levantia and Sarpedon. Semi-permanent Bergendii establishments only included factories, trade posts, and customs houses, but there were no settlement expansions beyond these.

Industrial Revolution

Bourgondi's embrace of the Industrial Revolution, 1826-1853, marked a profound shift in its economic, social, and political dynamics, propelling the duchy into a new era of development. The rapid urbanization spurred by industrialization saw a considerable influx of people from rural areas into Bourgondi's industrial cities. Riots broke out against les æleigens (Eng. the aliens) in the 1840s which saw widespread support at first, but as business owners began to see the rate of absenteeism rise in the new working class, the government interceded on the owner's behalf and stationed the Elite Gendarmes of the Royal Guard in working class neighborhoods to protect them. Since then, the royal government has enjoyed a fairly positive relationship with the working class. This demographic shift brought about changes in societal dynamics, altering traditional lifestyles and establishing a new relationship between employers and the emerging working class. The Industrial Revolution expanded Bourgondi's global trade and commerce. The duchy's manufactured goods became sought-after commodities, contributing to increased wealth. Modernization efforts, particularly in ports and transportation networks, facilitated the efficient movement of goods, fostering stronger connections to international markets. Bourgondi enthusiastically embraced technological advancements during this time period. Innovations in machinery, transportation, and communication not only enhanced efficiency but also positioned the duchy at the forefront of technological innovation. Despite the economic growth associated with the Industrial Revolution, it also brought about social stratification and labor issues. The working class faced challenging conditions in factories, prompting the emergence of labor movements advocating for improved wages and working conditions. The economic shifts induced by industrialization prompted political reforms in Bourgondi. Emerging economic elites from industrial sectors advocated for political representation and reforms, challenging the duchy to adapt its governance structures to accommodate the evolving dynamics of industrial society.

A rapid period of urbanization and industrialization brought many new resources cheaply into the grasp of the common Bougondii. This economic choice and freedom was a spark that soon turned into a roaring inferno. The desire for these new goods led to the building of a state operated merchant marine independent of the Bourgondii Royal Trading Company. Great Prince Pau II, sought relations with centers of foreign capital and they bankrolled many of the upgrades to the shipyards and markets. The Fanerians and Urceans encouraged loans for companies that favored industrialized processes over craft production. This saw larger chantiers eclipsing smaller ateliers and forever changing the economy on the Ile Burgundie. Whereas before the economy of Bourgondi was a rats nest of related by independent workshops and guilds run by master craftsmen all coming together project by project, the foreign investment forced a movement to massive companies with "in-house" processes and a large unskilled mechanized workforce, much like the latifundia system used on the mainland for agriculture.

The People's Spring of 1848

The People's Spring of 1848 rocked the nascent establishment to its core. The socialist, anti-monarchist rebellions seeking independent republics of Burgundie, Ultmar and Flordeterra. The wedding of Great Prince Pau II in January of 1848 was so opulent and extravagant that it starved and impoverished many of the poor across Burgundie. Grain stores were expropriated, taxes were raised even further, and many workers were pressed into service to throng the parade route. Unlike his martial and resourceful father Pau I, Pau II was raised to be gentil and refined by his mother Maria-Isabel de Martilles. He was spoiled and reactionary, often choosing to micromanage his problems, regardless of his ability to do so knowledgeably. He was set to become an absolute ruler and the pomp and circumstance that he demanded for his wedding demonstrated that fact.

In the months after the wedding, the starving peasants across Burdeboch and Marves took up arms and raided government storehouses in search of food. The militias from the Isle of Burgundie and Marialanus, as well as the Gendarmes d'elite della Gaurdie Real (Elite Gendarmes of the Royal Guard) for the first time, were mobilized and violently suppressed the peasants.

First Fratricide

Further information: First Fratricide

In 1849, Bourgondi and the County Palatine of Estia initiated what would become the First Fratricide, when Bourgondi invaded Estia to quell a workers strike and revolution that was threatening to overthrow the Count Palatine.

Dissolution of the Duchy

In 1853, Duke Pau II ascended the throne of the Principality of Faramount and joined the two nation-states in a real union, the Burgundie-Faramount Union, at which point the Duchy of Bourgondi ceased to exist.

Colonial ventures

The Bourgondii Royal Trading Company established 7 major colonies on behalf of the Duchy of Bourgondi, the largest and most influential being Equatorial Ostiecia:

Name	Continental location	Administration dates	Trading Company	Modern status	Notes/Highlights
Colony of Santasi	Audonia	1646-1721	BRTC	Kandara	1646-1721 after which it was joined to Kandoora colony Lost in the Great Rebellion of Slavery Bay 1767-1795
Pukhgundi colony	Audonia	1635-1811	BRTC	Tapakdore, Peshabiwar, and Pukhgundi
Istroya Oriental colony	Audonia	1577-1842	BRTC	southern half of Battganuur and Bulkh
Kandahari-Pukhtun colony	Audonia	1615-1830s	BRTC	Umardwal, Yanuban, and Salarive
Sud Moll colony	Australis	1702-1876	BRTC	Burgundie	Farmandie (1712-1745 and 1789-1824)
St. Nicholas Colony	Crona	1654 - 1876	BRTC	Alstin
Medimeria colony	Levantia	1578-2014	BRTC	Burgundie	Transferred to Urcea as the Rectory of Medimeria in 2014 as part of a mutual strategic interest realignment.
Equitorial Ostiecia colony	Sarpedon	1599-present	BRTC	Burgundie

See also

• History of Burgundie
• History of Dericania