The New Murrey and Blue blog

On 25 August 2024 Bruges was entertained by the first Golden Tree Procession for seven years before thousands of spectators. The occasion is a visual and musical spectacle that is usually held only every five years but the arrival of the pandemic hampered schedules this time. 

The procession (“….[which] involves 1,600 extras, seven large floats and an estimated 10,000 props….”) is a celebration of the 1468 marriage of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and Margaret of York, sister of our very own Edward IV and Richard III.

“….The event revolves around the lavish wedding of Margaret of York and Charles the Bold, renowned for its opulent banquets, illustrious guests from across Europe, and the legendary jousting tournament known as the ‘Passage of Arms of the Golden Tree,’ which inspired the festival’s name. A sparkling golden tree was the symbol of the tournament. Back in 1468, the celebration lasted for ten days….”

You can read about the procession here https://www.vrt.be/…/first-golden-tree-procession-in…/ and here https://rove.me/to/belgium/pageant-of-the-golden-tree

To read more about the bride and groom and their marriage, try these:-

• https://www.medievalists.net/2014/01/charles-the-bold-duke-of-burgundy/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_of_York
• https://thefreelancehistorywriter.com/2013/02/24/margaret-of-york-duchess-of-burgundy/
• https://www.medievalists.net/2013/12/margaret-of-york-duchess-of-burgundy/.

And many other sites.

Thanks to a comment below, I can say that the procession can be viewed at https://focus-wtv.be/partnercontent/herbekijk-de-gouden-boomstoet.