Maximilian and Marie De Bourgogne

After her father's death Marie of Burgundy is the richest heiress in Europe; Maximilian, the young Austrian archduke, stubbornly opposes his father Frederick who also wants him to marry the young Duchess; the citizens of Ghent storm Marie's palace.

Put under pressure by King Louis, the citizens of Ghent storm Marie's palace and make her sign a contract to marry Louis' son Charles; she sends Joan, her lady-in-waiting, to make contact with Maximilian.

King Louis won't allow Marie to bury her father's body in Burgundy, but forces her counselors to accept him as their lawful ruler; when Marie refuses to marry Charles, French troops invade Burgundy.

When the citizens of Ghent have Marie's closest advisors beheaded, she sends her lady-in-waiting to Maximilian; he has recovered from the plague, but he is unable to settle accounts with the citizens of Cologne.

Maximilian's marriage to Marie turns out to be a happy one, but the risk of war with France is imminent; Maximilian arms his men and thwarts a conspiracy of the Ghent citizens.

Maximilian saves Polheim's life and rids himself of the conspirators; in order to dispel rumors that their first-born son is actually a girl, Maximilian and Marie have their son baptized in public.