Margaret of Burgundy, Duchess of Bavaria

Who was Margaret of Burgundy, Duchess of Bavaria?

Margaret of Burgundy was a daughter of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and Margaret III, Countess of Flanders. By her marriage to William of Bavaria, she would, in 1404, become Duchess of Bavaria.

Margaret was the third child and first daughter out of nine children born to Philip the Bold and his wife Margaret III, Countess of Flanders. Her siblings included John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy and Antoine, Duke of Brabant.

Her paternal grandparents were John II of France and Bonne of Bohemia. Her maternal grandparents were Louis II of Flanders and Margaret of Brabant.

Margaret's father the Duke of Burgundy used the marriages of his children to achieve far-sighted goals. In keeping with this strategy, Margaret and her brother John were wedded in a double marriage to William and his sister Margaret of Bavaria. This marriage would have later influence the union of Hainaut and Holland with Burgundy and Flanders, as carried out by Margaret's nephew Philip the Good.

On 12 April 1385 in Cambrai, Margaret was married to William of Bavaria.