About the Dukes of Burgundy and the Treasures of the Fifteenth Century

In the fifteenth century, the Dukes of Burgundy were conspicuous for their sumptuous state. The court of Philip the Good exceeded in riches that of any sovereign in Christendom. When this prince was in attendance on his liege lord, the King of France, the number and superb equipments of his retinue, threw royal state completely into the shade. He made his entrance into a town, preceded by musicians with trumpets, and other instruments of silver, and escorted by a numerous troop of cavaliers, and men-at-arms, whose horses were caparisoned with cloth of gold, studded with jewellery and precious stones. His palace was the scene of perpetual festivity, of sumptuous banquets, and gorgeous pageantries. He had accumulated treasures to an almost incredible amount in gold, silver, and precious stones, comprising images, crucifixes, reliquaries, plate of every description, gems of the largest size and purest water, and heaps of glittering coin.

Leo Von Rozinital, who in 1463--67, visited the different courts of Western Europe, was not only admitted to a view of Philip's treasures, but was requested, by the duke's order, to accept, as a present, any jewels which he might select; but the noble Bohemian declined to profit by this munificence on the ground that he had taken this journey, not for the purpose of acquiring riches, but in perfecting himself in chivalrous exercises.

Several inventories of the contents of the Burgundian treasury have been preserved. Two have been printed by the Count de Laborde, in his "Ducs de Bourgoyne."

Charles the Rash, the last Duke of Burgundy of his race, was also prodigal in the display of his enormous wealth, but, restless and unscrupulous, he made war on the Swiss, solely with a view to annex the country to his dominions, but received a crushing defeat at Nancy, where he met his death. Some of the spoils taken by the Swiss from his tent are mentioned, The outside of this was hung with armorial shields of gold and pearls. Inside was his golden throne, his ducal hat studded with the most precious jewels and pearls, his Order of the Golden Fleece, his seal, were all enriched with stones of the greatest rarity and splendour. The largest of the duke's jewels, equal in size to the half of a walnut, and the value of which he estimated at the price of an entire province, was picked up on the road by a Swiss, and sold for a florin. Pope Julius II purchased it afterwards from the citizens of Berne for twenty thousand ducats, and it yet shines as the chief jewel in the papal crown. A second jewel of the duke, which was taken, is now in the French treasury, and a third is in the Imperial treasury at Vienna.