The balance of power between the Count of Flanders and the King of France underwent significant changes in the 13th and 14th centuries. Here's a brief overview:

13th century:

• Initially, the Count of Flanders, as a vassal of the King of France, held a relatively weak position. The French monarchs, particularly Philip II (1180-1223) and Louis IX (1226-1270), sought to assert their authority over Flanders.
• The County of Flanders, however, managed to maintain a degree of autonomy, thanks in part to its economic prosperity and strategic location.
• The Treaty of Melun (1227) recognized Flanders' independence, but the county remained a vassal state of the French crown.

14th century:

• The 14th century saw a significant shift in the balance of power. The County of Flanders, under the rule of Counts Guy of Dampierre (1278-1305) and Louis of Nevers (1322-1346), began to assert its independence more forcefully.
• Initially, Antwerp was a relatively minor city in the Duchy of Brabant, with the Duke holding significant authority over the city.
• As Antwerp's economy grew, particularly its trade and commerce, the city began to assert its independence and seek greater autonomy from the Duke of Brabant.
• The Count of Flanders, Louis of Nevers (1322-1346), sought to exert influence over Antwerp, given its strategic location and economic importance. However, the city managed to maintain its independence and resist Flemish control.
• The Roman Emperor, Louis IV (1314-1347), recognized Antwerp's importance and granted the city a charter in 1327, giving it greater self-governance and economic privileges.
• The Duke of Burgundy, Odo IV (1315-1349), had limited influence over Antwerp during this period, as his focus was on consolidating power in Burgundy.
• The King of France, Philip VI (1328-1350), attempted to assert his authority over Antwerp, but the city's growing economic power and its alliances with the Duke of Brabant and the Roman Emperor limited French influence.

15th century:

• The 15th century saw a significant shift in the balance of power, with Antwerp emerging as a major economic and political center in the Low Countries.
• The Duke of Brabant, Philip of Saint-Pol (1420-1430), and later Philip the Good (1430-1467), recognized Antwerp's importance and granted the city further privileges and autonomy.
• The Count of Flanders, Philip the Good, also sought to exert influence over Antwerp, but the city's growing power and its alliances with the Duke of Brabant and the Roman Emperor limited Flemish control.
• The Roman Emperor, Sigismund (1410-1437), continued to recognize Antwerp's importance and granted the city further privileges and autonomy.
• The Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, and his successor, Charles the Bold (1467-1477), became increasingly influential in Antwerp, as they sought to integrate the city into their territorial state.
• The King of France, Charles VII (1422-1461), attempted to assert his authority over Antwerp, but the city's economic power and its alliances with the Duke of Brabant, the Roman Emperor, and the Duke of Burgundy limited French influence.

Key factors influencing the balance of power:

• Economic strength: Flanders' prosperity and strategic location gave it a degree of independence and bargaining power.
• Vassalage: The feudal relationship between the Count of Flanders and the King of France remained a significant factor, with the count seeking to maintain autonomy while the king sought to assert authority.
• City-state power: The rise of the Flemish cities as economic and political centers further complicated the balance of power, as they often pursued their own interests and challenged the authority of the count and the king.

Overall, the 13th and 14th centuries saw a gradual shift in the balance of power, with the County of Flanders and its cities gaining more autonomy and independence from the French crown.