On January 5, 1477, the fate of Burgundy—and the future shape of France—was decided in the snow outside the city of Nancy.

In this episode of Baked Battlefields, we break down how Charles the Bold, one of the richest and most aggressive rulers in late medieval Europe, ignored advice, refused retreat, and bet everything on a winter siege he couldn’t win. Opposing him was René II, backed by Swiss pikemen, smart alliances, and the most reliable force in military history: winter.

We cover the full story—why Burgundy mattered, how the battle unfolded, the casualties, and why Charles’s death in the chaos didn’t just end a campaign, but erased an entire state from the map. Along the way, we get a little high, tell some jokes, and remind ourselves that confidence is not the same thing as leadership.

Precise history. Imprecise sobriety. Bad decisions with permanent consequences.