Robert, count d'Artois, was the man above all others who had most assisted king Philip to gain possession of the crown;he was one of the wisest and greatest barons in France, of the highest birth, being descended from kings. His wife was sister-german to Philip, whose special companion and friend he had been in all his fortunes; and for the space of three years he had managed everything in France - so that nothing was done without his knowledge.
It happened afterward that king Philip took a violent hatred against the lord Robert, on account of a suit, which was brought before him, that regarded the county of Artois; and the said lord Robert was desirous of obtaining it by means of a letter he had produced, and which, by all accounts, was forged. Had he been arrested in the first moments of the king's anger, he would have infallibly be put to death. He therefore thought it prudent to quit the kingdom of France, and go to his nephew earl John, at Namur. The king ordered his sister, wife of lord Robert, and her two sons, his nephews, John and Charles, to be arrested and shut up in close prison, out of which he swore they would never come as long as he lived, and since that time, though many spoke on their behalf, they have not greater liberty, for which afterwards he was much blamed behind his back.
The king, in his warmth, sent to Raoul, bishop of Liege, begging him to challenge and make war upon the earl of Namur, if he did not put away the lord Robert from his court.
The bishop, who loved exceedingly the king of France, and little respected his neighbors, did immediately as the king desired. The earl of Namur was therefore advised to send away the lord Robert, which he did much against his inclinations. Lord Robert then went to his cousin, the Duke of Brabant, who received him with great joy, and gave him every comfort.
As soon as the king of France knew it, he sent to say, that if he supported him, or suffered him to remain in his territories, he should not have a worse enemy than himself, and that he would oppress him by any means in his power. The duke, upon this, sent him very privily to Argentan, until he should know in what manner the king would take it. The king, who had spies everywhere, was soon informed of what had passed in Brabant; and was so vexed, that he stimulated by money the king of Bohemia, who was cousin-german to the duke, the bishop of Liege, the archbishop of Cologne, the duke of Guldres, the marquis of Juliers, the earl of Bar, the lords of Los and Fauquemont, and many other lords, who were soon allied together against the duke, whom they challenged, and entered his territories near Esbaing. They advanced as far as Hannut, and burnt the country at two different times, according to their pleasure. The king of France sent with them the earl of Eu, his constable, with a great company of men at arms. The earl William of Hainault then thought it time to interfere, and sent the countess, his lady, who was sister to king Philip, and the lord of Beaumont, his brother, to France, to intercede with the king for a respite and truce between him and the duke of Brabant. The king made many difficulties, but at last consented, on the condition that the duke should submit himself to whatever he and his council might judge proper for him to do towards the king of France, and towards those lords who had waged war against him. He was also ordered to dismiss the lord Robert from his territories within a certain time, which he was forced to perform, though much against his will1.
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