Wenceslaus I

The Elevation of Luxembourg to a Duchy and Wenceslaus’ Rule (1354)

In 1354, Charles IV, King of Bohemia, Count of Luxembourg, and elected Holy Roman King, elevated the County of Luxembourg to the status of a duchy and entrusted its rule to his half-brother, Wenceslaus I. This move strengthened Luxembourg’s prestige and political importance within the Holy Roman Empire.

Background: The House of Luxembourg and Charles IV

• Charles IV, a member of the House of Luxembourg, had expanded the influence of his family significantly, securing Bohemia, Brandenburg, and the imperial throne.
• The County of Luxembourg, inherited from their father, John the Blind (King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg), had been a key possession of the dynasty.
• By 1354, Charles sought to enhance Luxembourg’s status, solidifying its role within Imperial politics.

Luxembourg Becomes a Duchy (1354)

• Charles IV formally raised Luxembourg from a county to a duchy, granting it greater autonomy and prestige.
• His half-brother, Wenceslaus I, became the first Duke of Luxembourg, ensuring that the territory remained within the House of Luxembourg’s control.
• This elevation strengthened the region’s influence in the Holy Roman Empire, making it a more significant political entity.

Impact and Legacy

• Luxembourg’s elevation to a duchy allowed it to play a greater role in imperial affairs, increasing its standing among the territorial princes of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Wenceslaus’ rule ensured the continued expansion of the Luxembourg dynasty, which would go on to dominate imperial politics for much of the 14th and 15th centuries.
• This move also reinforced Charles IV’s broader strategy of consolidating dynastic power while elevating key lands within the empire.

The creation of the Duchy of Luxembourg in 1354 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, ensuring that the House of Luxembourg remained a dominant force in European politics.

The Joyous Entry of 1356: A Landmark Charter in Brabant

In 1356, the powerful towns of the Duchy of Brabant, supported by the nobility, secured a charter of rights from their ruling house, known locally as the Joyous Entry (Blijde Inkomst). This charter became one of the most significant constitutional documents in the Low Countries, establishing a framework for urban and noble rights against ducal authority.

Background: The Growth of Brabant and Its Towns

• The Duchy of Brabant, originally the County of Leuven (Louvain) in the early 12th century, expanded into the region between the Scheldt and Meuse rivers, stretching south of Brussels.
• By the 14th century, Brabant’s towns had grown wealthy through trade, particularly in cities like Brussels, Leuven, and Antwerp.
• These towns formed alliances with the nobility, seeking to curb the power of the ducal government and preserve their economic and political privileges.

The Joyous Entry of 1356

• When Duke John III of Brabant died in 1355, he was succeeded by his daughter Joanna of Brabant, who was married to Wenceslaus I of Luxembourg.
• The Brabantine nobility and towns feared that Wenceslaus, a foreign prince, would undermine their traditional rights.
• In response, Joanna and Wenceslaus issued the Joyous Entry in 1356, granting a formal charter that guaranteed rights to the estates of Brabant (nobility, clergy, and townspeople).

Key Provisions of the Joyous Entry

1. Protection of Brabant’s Liberties – The duchy was to remain independent and could not be absorbed into another state (such as Luxembourg).
2. No Imposition of Foreign Rule – Brabant was to be governed by local customs and laws, and the ruling duke could not favor foreign officials.
3. Rights of the Estates (Nobility and Towns) – The nobility and urban leaders were guaranteed a say in governance, taxation, and legal matters.
4. Consent for Taxes and War – The duke was prohibited from levying taxes or waging war without the approval of the estates.
5. Judicial Independence – Brabant’s courts were to remain independent, ensuring that local law prevailed over ducal authority.

Impact and Legacy

• The Joyous Entry established a constitutional framework that limited ducal power and reinforced Brabant’s tradition of self-governance.
• It became a model for later constitutional developments in the Low Countries, influencing the Dutch and Belgian political traditions.
• The charter was invoked repeatedly in later centuries as a symbol of Brabantine rights against centralizing rulers.

The Joyous Entry of 1356 was a major milestone in the political evolution of the Low Countries, ensuring that Brabant’s towns and nobility retained significant influence in governance, setting the stage for future struggles between local autonomy and centralized rule.

The Joyous Entry and the Struggle for Brabant (1355–1356)

In 1352, Wenceslaus, Duke of Luxembourg, married Joanna of Brabant, the daughter of Duke John III of Brabant and Limburg and Marie d'Évreux. Upon her father’s death in 1355, Joanna inherited the Duchy of Brabant and Limburg, but her rule was immediately contested, leading to a conflict with her brother-in-law, Louis II of Flanders.

The Joyous Entry and Flemish Opposition (1355–1356)

• To secure Brabant’s unity and autonomy, Wenceslaus signed the Joyous Entry (Blijde Inkomst) in 1356, a constitutional charter that guaranteed:
  • The indivisibility of Brabant (preventing it from being divided between multiple heirs).
  • The protection of Brabant’s liberties and self-governance.
  • The assurance that Brabant would not be absorbed into Luxembourg.
• However, Louis II of Flanders, who was married to Margaret of Brabant (Joanna’s sister), saw this as a violation of his inheritance rights and invaded Brabant to claim his "share" of the duchy.

The Seizure of Brussels and the Flemish Occupation

• The Flemish army, led by Louis II, overran parts of Brabant and managed to capture Brussels, the duchy’s capital.
• Wenceslaus and Joanna were unable to stop the Flemish advance, and it appeared that Brabant would fall under Flemish control.

The Liberation of Brussels (October 24, 1356)

• On the night of October 24, 1356, a Brabantine patriot, Everard 't Serclaes, led a daring raid to recapture Brussels.
• Scaling the city walls with a small group of men, he launched a surprise attack that forced the Flemish troops to retreat.
• With Brussels liberated, Joanna and Wenceslaus were able to make their "Joyous Entry" into the city, symbolizing their restored rule and the resilience of Brabant’s autonomy.

Impact and Legacy

• The liberation of Brussels prevented Brabant from falling under Flemish rule, but the conflict between Brabant and Flanders continued.
• Everard 't Serclaes’ heroic action became legendary in Brabantine history, and he is still remembered as a symbol of civic resistance and local pride.
• The Joyous Entry remained a cornerstone of Brabant’s constitutional traditions, influencing later struggles for local governance and autonomy in the Low Countries.

The struggle for Brabant in 1356, culminating in the recapture of Brussels and the Joyous Entry of Joanna and Wenceslaus, reinforced Brabant’s independence from Flanders and ensured that its tradition of self-rule would endure.

The Introduction of Playing Cards to Europe (14th Century)

Playing cards first entered Southern Europe in the 14th century, likely originating from Mamluk Egypt, where they were already well established. The Mamluk suits—cups, coins, swords, and polo-sticks—were gradually adopted into European decks, though the polo-sticks were replaced with batons or cudgels, as polo was largely unknown in medieval Europe.

Early Mentions and Spread Across Europe

The earliest documented references to playing cards include:

• Catalonia (1371) – The first recorded mention in Europe.
• Switzerland (1377) – Confirmed presence of playing cards.
• Florence and Paris (1380) – Widespread mentions, indicating rapid dissemination.
• Paris Ordinances (1369 & 1377) – A 1369 Parisian ordinance does not mention playing cards, but its updated version in 1377 does, suggesting their introduction within this period.
• Duchess Johanna of Brabant’s Account Books (1379) – A record dated May 14, 1379, states:
  "Given to Monsieur and Madame four peters, two forms, value eight and a half moutons, wherewith to buy a pack of cards."
• Treasurer’s Accounts of Charles VI of France (1392/1393) – Charbot Poupart, treasurer of Charles VI, records payment for the painting of three sets of cards, demonstrating royal patronage and interest in playing cards.

Early Production and Expense

Initially, playing cards were handmade, often crafted with intricate hand-painted designs like those created for Charles VI of France. This labor-intensive production made them a luxury item accessible mainly to the nobility and wealthy patrons. It was only later, with the advent of woodblock printing, that playing cards became more widely available.

Long-Term Influence

The Latin suits (cups, coins, swords, and batons) derived from Mamluk decks remain standard in traditional Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese playing card sets. Over time, card games became an enduring element of European leisure culture, influencing social customs, gambling traditions, and artistic design across the continent.