War of the Brabant Succession

The War of the Brabant Succession (Guerre de la succession du Brabant) was a military conflict in the Duchy of Brabant in 1356–57, fought between Brabant and the County of Flanders.

John III, Duke of Brabant died in 1355 without male heirs. He had intended his daughter, Joanna, to inherit his title in Brabant and the Duchy of Limburg. Hoping to profit from the instability in Brabant, Louis of Male, Count of Flanders (whose wife as the sister of Joanna) tried and failed to gain control over Mechelen. On 15 June 1356, he declared war on Brabant. The Flemish armies were initially extremely successful. Brussels was besieged and captured. By the end of August 1356, Mechelen, Leuven, Vilvoorde, Antwerp, Grimbergen, Tienen and Nivelles had surrendered to the Flemish. Joanna took refuge in Binche, and later 's-Hertogenbosch.

Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg, husband of Joanna, requested help for Brabant from his brother, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. This was granted in October 1356. On learning of this, a coup d'état took place in Brussels and the Flemish were pushed out. Similar reverses took place in other Brabant towns.

A peace was signed at Ath on 4 June 1357, brokered by William III, Count of Hainaut. It made concessions to Flanders.