Robert of Artois

Robert III d'Artois, a truly interesting historical character that became the leading one in Maurice Druon's book series, the Accursed Kings. Sole male grandson of Robert II, killed at Courtrai (more famous as the Battle of the Golden Spurs) in 1302, having his father predeceased him, was passed over in succession, with the county of Artois falling in the hands of his aunt, Mahaut d'Artois. In compensation he was recognized as Seigneur de Conches, Melun and Damfort, and King Philippe IV the Fair named him count of Beaumont-le-Roger. All his life he tried to reclaim Artois, without success, eventually losing all his lands and titles by forgery, as he tried to falsify documents proving that his grandfather intended Robert to succeed him after his death.