Robert III of Artois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert III of Artois
Count of Beaumont-le-Roger Lord of Conches-en-Ouche, Domfront and Mehun-sur-Yèvre
Statue of Robert d'Artois in Versailles
Spouse(s)	Joan of Valois ​ (m. 1320)​
Issue
John, Count of Eu Charles, Count of Pezenas
Noble family	Artois
Father	Philip of Artois
Mother	Blanche of Brittany
Born	1287
Died	1342 (aged 54–55)

Robert III of Artois (born 1287, died 1342) was an important nobleman from the House of Artois in France. He was the Lord of several areas like Conches-en-Ouche and Domfront. In 1309, he was given the county of Beaumont-le-Roger. This was meant to make up for the County of Artois, which he believed should have been his. For a short time in 1341, he was also known as the Earl of Richmond.

Robert's Early Life

His Family Background

Robert was the son of Philip of Artois and Blanche of Brittany. His father, Philip, was a lord, and his mother, Blanche, was the daughter of John II, Duke of Brittany. Both of Robert's parents came from the Capetian dynasty, a very old and powerful royal family in France.

Robert's father, Philip, sadly died in 1298. He had been hurt in a battle against the Flemish people in 1297. His early death caused a big problem later on about who would inherit the County of Artois.

Who Would Inherit Artois?

In 1302, Robert's grandfather, Robert II, Count of Artois, died in battle. Normally, Robert would have inherited the County of Artois from his grandfather. However, his grandfather's daughter, Mahaut of Artois, took control of the county. This was allowed by the customs of the time because she was the eldest child.

Robert was too young to challenge his aunt Mahaut for his rights. But he would try to get the county back later. The disagreements between Mahaut and Robert happened during a time when France and England were often fighting, even before the famous Hundred Years' War began.

Robert's Influence and Problems

Becoming a Trusted Advisor

Robert became a close friend and advisor to his brother-in-law, Philip VI of France, who became king. Because of his influence, King Philip VI gave Robert the county of Beaumont-le-Roger in 1328. This was meant as a way to make up for Robert not getting the County of Artois.

When Mahaut died in 1329, her daughter, Joan II, Countess of Burgundy, inherited the title. Robert then tried again to claim the County of Artois for himself.

The Forgery Scandal

In 1329, Robert tried to prove his claim to Artois using false documents. He used thirty-four fake statements and a forged will created by a woman named Jeanne de Divion. This trick was discovered, and Robert lost all hope of getting Artois. The woman who made the fake documents was punished.

Robert was ordered to appear before King Philip four times, but he didn't show up. So, in 1332, King Philip VI ordered Robert to be sent away from France and all his lands taken from him. To avoid being arrested, Robert fled France in 1332. He found safety with his nephew, John II, Marquis of Namur.

Family Imprisoned and Further Exile

Robert's wife and sons, John and Charles, were put in prison in Normandy in 1334. King Philip VI then asked the Bishop of Liège to attack Namur, where Robert was hiding. Robert had to flee again. This time, he went to his nephew-in-law, John III, Duke of Brabant.

But King Philip VI's influence caused a war against Brabant. Robert was forced to leave again, and this time he went to England.

Robert in England

Advising the English King

In England, Robert met Edward III of England, who was the English king. Robert strongly encouraged King Edward to go to war to claim the throne of France. Robert became a member of King Edward's royal council. He gave the English king a lot of secret information about the French court.

Many writers from that time believed that Robert's advice directly led to the start of the Hundred Years' War. King Philip VI even said that King Edward III's refusal to send Robert away was why he took back the Duchy of Aquitaine from England in 1337.

Later, a poem called Vow of the Heron became popular. It showed King Edward III invading France to keep a promise he made to Robert to take the French throne. Robert also joined King Edward III in his military campaigns. He even led the English and Flemish army in the Battle of Saint-Omer in 1340.

His Final Battle and Death

Robert fought in the War of the Breton Succession. In November 1342, he was hurt during a retreat from the city of Vannes. He then became sick with dysentery and died. He was first buried in Blackfriars Church in London. Later, his tomb was moved to St Paul's Cathedral.

Robert's Family

Around 1320, Robert married Joan. She was the daughter of Charles of Valois. Robert and Joan had several children:

• Louis (born 1320, died between 1326 and 1329).
• John (born 1321, died 1387), who became the Count of Eu.
• Joan (born 1323, died 1324).
• Jacques (born around 1325, died 1347).
• Robert (born around 1326, died 1347).
• Charles (born 1328, died 1385), who became the Count of Pezenas.

Robert in Stories

Robert III of Artois is a main character in Les Rois maudits (The Accursed Kings). This is a series of French historical novels by Maurice Druon. Many of the events from Robert's life are told in these books. He has been played by actors in TV shows based on the novels. Jean Piat played him in the 1972 TV series, and Philippe Torreton played him in the 2005 version.