II. John the Fearless’ Strategy with England…

II. John the Fearless’ Strategy with England

• Despite the Anglo-Armagnac treaty, John the Fearless managed to maintain good relations with England, ensuring they did not fully commit to his rivals.
• His key diplomatic advantage was the economic interdependence between Flanders and England:
  • Flanders’ economy relied on English wool imports, which fed its thriving cloth industry.
  • An English wool embargo could devastate Flemish merchants, a risk John could not afford.
• By balancing diplomacy with England, John ensured that Burgundy remained an economic powerhouse, avoiding crippling trade sanctions while keeping his political options open.