Lewis seized Picardy and Artois, the Burgundian duchy and Franche Comte: and strove to gain the rest by forcing on Mary of Burgundy the hand of the Dauphin.

But the Imperial dreams which had been fatal to Charles had to be carried out through the very ruin they wrought.

Pressed by revolt in Flanders, and by the French king's greed, Mary gave her hand to the Emperor's son, Maximilian; and her heritage passed to the Austrian house.

Edward took no part in the war between Lewis and Maximilian which followed on the marriage.

The contest between England and France had drifted into a mightier European struggle between France and the House of Austria; and from this struggle the king wisely held aloof.