What are the chances of the Dukes of Burgundy supporting a explorer before 1476? Where there any organized Dutch or Flemish merchant houses that might lead a venture?
Why would they do that when they had the Nord See and the Baltic?
But before 1476? Why risking in something that they did not know would be profitable instead of concentrating in what it WAS profitable? It is one thing the Dutch attacking the Spanish Empire and making money and it is another thing opening a market you do not know it is there, that you do not know whether you can control it or not and taking resources from a market that you somewhat control.Same reason the Dutch did it, even while fighting a war for independence versus the Spanish?
To make money of course!
Historically, to finance the United East India Company, the Dutch basically invented modern capitalism, with joint stock companies, a stock exchange etc. No need for wealthy merchant houses: everybody can buy a share.
No reason they could not do it while still part of the Burgundian state.
Wow great idea. Though in honesty i realize now charles the bold would have to survive to a ripe age to get this accomplished. I know the valois dukes kept court in Bruges which gave me the idea.
Burgundy/Lotharingen would have as much cause as England and Spain to jump into the exploration game. I think the fact that the Hapsburgs owned Spain as well as the low countries stop any competition from the Flemish/Dutch.
On a side note, if Charles won the war he died fighting, is there any chance he could be elected Holy Roman Emperor next election?
I remember him being called the richest man in europe. plus their are several electors neighboring him to strongarm.
It's gonna be an interesting election, to be sure.
However, if Frederick III dies in 1494 as in OTL then Charles would be pushing 61, if he's still alive at that point.
That would make him an excellent candidate for all the German electors that were opposed to the Habsburgs: an old guy without a male heir sounds like the perfect man for the job!
Plus, the Habsburgs can still pull of a diplomatic coup here; Mary is a very attractive bride with regards to political matching. France wants her, Austria wants her, and so on.
Of course, Charles may turn the tables, but he wasn't exactly the diplomat his father was.