France 1262

The stamp shows portraits of King Louis XI (1423-1483) of France,and Charles the Bold (1433-1477) Duke of Burgundy, and their coats of arms. The map of France in the background shows  the lands ruled by Charles, Burgundy and Nivernais, Flanders, Artois, Picardy, and Roussillon, in the 15th century. Charles sought to reestablish the Kingdom of Lotharingia. Louis opposed his ambitions. After battles and negotiations between the two for a dozen years Charles was defeated at Nancy and killed by the Swiss. Some of his lands were lost to France. His heiress, Mary of Burgundy, married the German emperor, Maximilian, and her lands were incorporated by the Hapsburgs, and Burgundy ceased to exist as a state.