1477   

Charles daughter, Mary the Rich (ruled 1477-1482), was left with just a shell of the former Burgundian domain. It didn't include Burgundy itself anymore. Burgundy had however long ceased to be the heartland of the Burgundian dominions. It had been eclipsed by Brabant and Flanders. Bruxelles was now the main city. Mary married Maximilian of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor, who acted as Regent for their infant son Philip (ruled 1482-1506). Subjugated Burgundians in rebellion against France, would look for their legitimate Prince and ask themselves in song: Where is he? The answer was "dans le Pays Bas" (in the Netherlands)

Philip of Habsburg (ruled 1482-1506) , heir to diminished Burgundy and to Austria, and potential Holy Roman Emperor, made a brilliant marriage. He married Joan of Aragon, heiress to the Kingdoms of Aragon, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia and Castile. The marriage of her parents had united Spain. The death of Joan's mother made Philip and Joan titular King and Queen of Castile, while Joan's father actually ruled the Kingdoms. Their son Charles would inherit the Burgundian lands in Franche Comte and in the Netherlands, he would also inherit Austria (later given to his brother Ferdinand) and Spain, with some Italian Kingdoms attached and the vast riches of America, recently conquered by Spanish conquistadores. Charles would also be elected Holy Roman Emperor upon the death of his grandfather Maximilian in 1515.