Robert III of Artois

Robert III of Artois (1287 – between 6 October & 20 November 1342) was an Artesian nobleman of the House of Artois. He was the Lord of Conches-en-Ouche, of Domfront, and of Mehun-sur-Yèvre, and in 1309 he received as appanage the county of Beaumont-le-Roger in restitution for the County of Artois, which he claimed. He was also briefly Earl of Richmond in 1341 after the death of John III, Duke of Brittany. Life Origin Robert was the son of Philip of Artois, Lord of Conches-en-Ouche, and Blanche of Brittany, daughter of John II, Duke of Brittany. Both were male descendants of the Capetian dynasty. His father died on 11 September 1298 from wounds received at the Battle of Furnes on 20 August 1297 against the Flemish. His father's early death was an indirect cause of the dispute over the succession to the County of Artois. Guardianship After the death of his grandfather, Robert II, Count of Artois, at the Battle of Courtrai in 1302, his grandfather's daughter, Mahaut of Artois, inherited the County of Artois by custom, as she was his eldest child. Robert was too young to challenge his aunt Mahaut and claim the rights he had inherited from his father. He would do so later. The rancour and intrigue between Mahaut (sometimes called Mathilde) and Robert took place during a period of conflict between France and England before the Hundred Years' War.