Editing Charles the Bold (section)

=== Meeting the Emperor at Trier ===
[[File:166Friedrich III und Karl von Burgund.jpg|alt=Engraving of two horsemen, one the Emperor and the other the Duke of Burgundy, with their respective entourage|thumb|Meeting of Charles the Bold and Frederick III in Trier, 1473]]

Charles greatly desired to transform the Duchy of Burgundy into a kingdom, to free it from the limitations of vassalage to the French crown and to enhance his personal stature.{{Sfn|Brady|2009|p=104}}{{Sfn|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|p=157}} The only way for Charles to realise such a transformation was within the framework of the Holy Roman Empire.{{Sfn|Boehm|1979|p=161}} At Charles's request, Sigismund of Austria proposed Charles to be the next [[king of the Romans]], the title of the successor of the emperor, with the marriage between the Emperor's son and the Charles's daughter as an inducement.{{Sfn|Boehm|1979|p=159}} As one of the richest men in the Europe, and also an ally of the rebellious princes in the empire, the [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungarians]], and the [[Kingdom of Bohemia|Bohemians]], Charles was a coveted ally for Emperor [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]],{{Sfn|Boehm|1979|pp=157–158}} who agreed to receive him at [[Trier]].{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=406}}

In October 1473, both parties reached Trier: the Emperor with his son [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian]] and 2,500 horsemen, while the Burgundian entourage consisted of 13,000 men at arms (including artillery), Burgundian nobility, bishops, and treasures and relics.{{Sfn|Brady|2009|p=104}}{{Efn|This encounter showcased the economical and cultural differences between [[Christendom]]'s richer west and poorer east, with the Germans amazed by the wealth of Burgundy and the Burgundians shocked by the Germans' poor equipment.{{sfn|Brady|2009|p=104}}}} Despite all the grandeur, Frederick III was disappointed that Charles had not brought his daughter,{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=410}} amidst rumours spread by [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] adversaries alleging that Mary was physically defective.{{Sfn|Boehm|1979|p=160}} Charles wished to become the king of the Romans and to succeed Frederick as emperor. In return, Maximilian would inherit the Burgundian State, and later become emperor.{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=408}}{{Efn|Maximilian's eventual succession reinforced the continuity of the emperorship in the Hapsburg dynasty, which appealed to Frederick III's attachment to his house.{{sfn|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|p=161}}}} In addition, Charles wanted to become a [[prince-elector]], taking the [[Kingdom of Bohemia|Bohemian]] seat in the [[Electoral College (Holy Roman Empire)|Electoral College]], and be recognised as the duke of Guelders.<ref>{{harvnb|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|pages=159}}; {{harvnb|Boehm|1979|page=160}}</ref>

Although Charles received recognition for his possession of the Duchy of Guelders, he still was not recognised as king of the Romans, in part because Frederick III was convinced that the prince-electors would not vote for Charles to receive the title.<ref>{{harvnb|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|page=159}}; {{harvnb|Van Loo|2021|page=411}}</ref> During the conference, Charles ignored and alienated the prince-electors.{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=411}} When he realised how much he needed their support, Charles tried to impress them with displays of his wealth, but the Germans were not swayed.{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|pp=413, 411}} Charles's decision to only interact with the emperor, and not the prince-electors, was a fatal mistake, showing an utter ignorance of German political norms.{{Sfn|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|p=160}}

As an alternative, Frederick III proposed to elevate the Duchy of Burgundy to a kingdom; Charles accepted.<ref>{{harvnb|Lecuppre-Desjardin|2022|pages=159}}; {{harvnb|Van Loo|2021|page=411}}</ref> The two parties planned for Frederick III to crown Charles in the [[Trier Cathedral]] on 25 November.{{Sfn|Vaughan|Paravicini|2002|p=151}} However, the next day the Emperor secretly departed from Trier, embarking on the [[Moselle]] at dawn.{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=412}} Charles became enraged, locked himself in his room and smashed the furniture to pieces. But he did not break the betrothal between Maximilian and Mary, hoping that he could still become a king.{{Sfn|Van Loo|2021|p=413}}