Thread by @Arby_K

A dynasty that set in motion creation of three nations.

Another dynasty that reunited a peninsula.

A region that gave its name to a Kingdom, Duchy and a County.

A tribe that started it all.

Story in the evening ...

Gundobad is believed to have been born around 452 to Gundioc, King of the Burgundians. He has also been recorded as the nephew of Flavius Ricimer, a Roman general who dominated the affairs of the Western Empire in mid 5th century. 1/10

A Germanic tribe, the Burgundians had migrated into the Roman Empire crossing the Rhine in 406. Around 443, they were settled around Lake Geneva and became Roman foederati. But they were just one of the many Germanic tribes in the region and had to compete for space. 2/10

From 457 onwards, Gundobad's uncle, Ricimer, became the most prominent general in the Western Roman Empire. When Ricimer died in 472, Gundobad effectively succeeded him. The Burgundians also had gained territory during this period. 3/10

In 473, Gundobad installed his own choice of Emperor on the throne. But around the same time Gundioc died and Gundobad had to leave Italy (which eventually led to the fall of the Empire in 476). The Burgundian Kingdom was divided between Gundobad and his three brothers. 4/10

It didn't take long for the brothers to take up arms against each other. By 486, two were killed - Chilperich and Gondemar. Gondemar had no heir, but Chilperich's daughter married the Frankish King, Chlodovech, who later allied with Gundobad's remaining brother, Godegisel. 5/10

Though Chlodovech and Godegisel got the initial victory in 500, Gundobad retaliated killing Godegisel. The reunited Burgundians grew in strength especially after the Frankish realm was divided on Chlodovech's death in 511. Gundobad died in 516 and was succeeded by his son. 6/10

But the Burgundian Kingdom did not last long. By 534, the sons of Chlodovech defeated the Burgundians and assimilated it into the Frankish Kingdom. However, the name of Burgundy (Bourgogne) lived on in the divisions of the Frankish Kingdom. 7/10

With the breakup of the Frankish Kingdom in the 9th century, Burgundy reappeared as an independent Kingdom with a County and a Duchy named Burgundy also coming up in the earlier domains of the Burgundians. The Kingdom was eventually absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire. 8/10

Towards the end of 11th century, Henri de Bourgogne, son of Duke of Burgundy, and Raymond de Bourgogne, son of Count of Burgundy, arrived in Castile answering its King's call for support. Henri's descendants would go on to rule Portugal, while Raymond's would reunite Spain. 9/10

In the 15th century, a cadet branch of the French royal family acquired both the County and the Duchy. They also acquired considerable territory north of France creating a de facto state, that would lead to the formation of Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. 10/10