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Robert of Namur,KG (1323 – April 1391) was a noble from the Low Countries close to KingEdward III of England. He was madeKnight of the Garter in 1369.[1]
His was the son ofJohn I,Count of Namur, and Marie, Lady of Merode.
As a young man, he participated in crusades inPrussia and The Holy Land. His uncleRobert III of Artois, which had English sympathies, made him journey in 1346 to Calais to meet Edward III of England, who wasbesieging the city. Robert made a good impression on the King.
On 30 August 1350, Robert andHenry of Grosmont commanded the English flagship Salle du Roy, at theBattle of Les Espagnols sur Mer, offWinchelsea. On 2 February 1354, Robert of Namur married Isabella of Hainault (1323–1361), younger sister ofPhilippa of Hainault, queen consort of KingEdward III of England. Thus Robert became brother-in-law to Edward III. Robert captured theEscanaffles Castle in 1363. Robert broughtJean Froissart to England, and introduced him to Queen Philippa. In 1369, Robert defended the English camp atTournehem against French attack. He was madeKnight of the Garter in 1369 after the death ofRobert d'Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk.
In 1370, Robert requested Jean Froissart to write a recent chronicle of the history of England. On 20 August 1371, Robert fought forWenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg and Brabant, commanding 2,000 men at theBattle of Baesweiler, but was defeated and released after paying a ransom. In 1373, Jean Froissart completed his first book of the Chronicles and dedicated it to Robert of Namur.
On 2 February 1354, Robert of Namur firstly married Isabella of Hainaut (1323–1361), sister ofQueen Philippa of England and daughter ofWilliam I, Count of Hainaut andJoan of Valois.
On 4 February 1380, he secondly married Isabeau de Melun (died 1409). Both marriages remained childless, but Robert is said to have had 9 illegitimate children.
