1428

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political events

The Treaty of Delft July 23 ends hostilities between England and Flanders: Pope Martin V has declared Jacoba of Bavaria's 1422 marriage to Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, illegal January 9. Now nearly 27, she bows to pressure and cedes sovereignties of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut to Philippe le Bon, duc de Burgundy, who consolidates Burgundian domination of the Low Countries (Jacoba has been titular countess of all three counties). The treaty permits her to retain her title but stipulates that she is not to remarry without Philippe's consent (see 1430). William de la Pole, 32, earl of Suffolk, is made commander in chief of English forces and lays siege to Orléans in central France beginning in October with the reluctant consent of John Plantagenet, duke of Bedford (see 1427); Jean d'Orléans defends the city (see Joan of Arc, 1429).

Denmark's Erik VII defeats the Hanseatic fleets in his war against the counts of Holstein over control of Schleswig, but although he imposes the first tolls on ships plying the strait between Denmark and Sweden (the tolls will remain until 1857), and although hostilities will continue until 1436, the issue will have been decided against the Danes by 1435 (see 1434).

Venetian forces under the condottiere Carmagnola conquer Brescia and Bergamo as war with Milan resumes.

Vietnam regains her independence from China's Ming Empire after a 10-year struggle and forces the Chinese to leave (see 1426). Gen. Le Loi becomes emperor under the name Le Thai To, founding a dynasty that will rule until the end of the 16th century and reign nominally until 1788 (see 1460).

The Portuguese prince Pedro returns home after a 3-year journey through England, Flanders, the German states, Hungary, Moldavia, Walachia, the Italian states, Aragon, and Castile, bringing with him a copy of Marco Polo's 13th century Book of Various Experiences, which he has had translated for his younger brother Henrique (Henry the Navigator).

commerce

Japanese transport workers strike in protest against high prices as famine cripples the country. Farmers join in the strike, rioting in the streets and wrecking warehouses, temples, private houses, and sake production facilities.

religion

The bones of the late John Wycliffe are disinterred 44 years after his death and burned by order of the Council of Constance.

education

The University of Florence begins to teach Greek and Latin literature with special emphasis on history and its bearing on human behavior and moral values.

art

Painting: Merode altarpiece by Flemish painter Robert Campin, 50, the Master of Flemalle. The painter Masaccio (Tommaso di Giovanni di Simone Cassai) dies at Rome at age 26 (approximate) after having pioneered a new style of realism in frescoes and altarpieces for churches at Florence, Pisa, and Rome.

architecture, real estate

Florence's Church of San Lorenzo is completed after 7 years of construction to designs by local artist Filippo Brunelleschi, 51, who has established a reputation as goldsmith and sculptor but will become better known as an architect.

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