Agreement concluded the May 9th 1469 between the duke from Austria Sigismond de Habsbourg and the duke of Burgundy Charles Bold the with Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais). The treaty envisaged the transfer guarantees of them with the duke of Burgundy territories of the High-Alsace and in Black Forest which belonged to the house of Austria against the payment of a sum of 50  000 Guilder S gold. The treaty envisaged also a defensive alliance.

Historical context

Sigismond de Habsbourg for some time sought an ally able to help it to control the expansionist aimings of the Swiss Confédérés, realized for the moment at the expense of its territories.

Having sought the support of the king of France, Louis XI and having wiped a skilful refusal of its share, it turned to its rival, the duke of Burgundy, Charles Bold the.

Consequences of the treaty of Saint-Omer

The treaty gave to the Burgundy the access to the the Rhine and made of the duke of Burgundy an immediate neighbor of the Suisses.

The management of these territories on behalf of the representative of the duke of Burgundy, the baillif Pierre de Hagenbach, the economic consequences and the loss of the privileges which resulted from it for the Alsatian cities and the Swiss cities allied, reflect in revolt the territories of the Haut-Rhin.

In addition, Louis XI never ceased weaving against its hated rival, the duke of Burgundy and with time he skilfully managed to rejoin with his cause and against the duke the Alsatian cities, the Confédérés and the duke Rene of Lorraine.

This permanent state of military confrontation led to the Bataille of Héricourt (Franche-Comté) the November 13rd 1474, first great defeat for the troops of Charles Bold the, demolished which signs the beginning of the end for the duke himself and the disappearance of the duchy of Burgundy with the profit of the king of France, Louis XI. (see treated of Arras)