The Burgundian state (as of the 15th century) enjoys an extraordinary popularity here. This is for an obvious reason: It is quite impressing how a regional power arises where before there was not even an independent state - and almost completely by marriage and inheritance and not through war.
There are many other examples of states outstanding growth by marriage - but mostly the acquiring dynasty (as the Plantagenets or the Habsburgs) already had held a powerful position before. In the case of Burgundy, however, several wealthy, but rather limited duchies united into a state which could well have acquired independent status.
The only comparable situation which comes to my mind is the union of Castilia and Aragon, which formed a great power out of two rather marginal kingdoms; also a promotion to another league.
Coming back closer to the Burgundian example, which complex of principalities in Western/Central Europe could have formed in the same era and led to a comparable surge of power?
Of course, almost complete adjacency of territories was a particular strength of Burgundy - so let's go for something similar.
The perfect rival for Burgundy would be a power separating the Burgundian territories from each other, so what about a personal union of Champagne-Lotharingia-Palatinate?
Do you have other suggestions?
There are many other examples of states outstanding growth by marriage - but mostly the acquiring dynasty (as the Plantagenets or the Habsburgs) already had held a powerful position before. In the case of Burgundy, however, several wealthy, but rather limited duchies united into a state which could well have acquired independent status.
The only comparable situation which comes to my mind is the union of Castilia and Aragon, which formed a great power out of two rather marginal kingdoms; also a promotion to another league.
Coming back closer to the Burgundian example, which complex of principalities in Western/Central Europe could have formed in the same era and led to a comparable surge of power?
Of course, almost complete adjacency of territories was a particular strength of Burgundy - so let's go for something similar.
The perfect rival for Burgundy would be a power separating the Burgundian territories from each other, so what about a personal union of Champagne-Lotharingia-Palatinate?
Do you have other suggestions?