TDIH - January 5 This Day in (Medieval) History: January 5 1349 - Margaret II of Avesnes, heiress of Hainault, Holland, Zeeland and Friesland, abdicated in favor of her son William in exchange for a regular payment of money. William however would refuse to pay the agreed allowance, sparking conflict the following year when Margaret was asked by the nobles of Holland to resume rulership, and William was supported by the merchants, beginning the "Hook and Cod" wars between these rival segments of society. 1438 - Pope Eugenius IV disbanded the Council of Basel, sparking a dispute when a rebellious remnant of clergy (including the bishop who had placed Joan of Arc on trial, Pierre Cauchon) refused to disband and attempted to overthrow Eugenius IV in favor of the former Duke of Savoy, Amadeus VIII, who adopted the Papal name Felix V and maintained his claim until 1442. 1463 - The French poet Francois Villon was expelled from Paris. 1477 - the Battle of Nancy was fought between Duke Charles of Burgundy against Duke René II of Lorraine and his allies from the Swiss Confederation. The Duke of Burgundy was killed, leaving a daughter as heiress who would shortly marry into the Hapsburg family, thereby ending the Valois line of Burgundian dukes.