The Case of Robert of Artois

In 1331, Robert was found guilty of forging the will of his late father, using thirty-four perjured depositions and a fake document created by Jeanne de Divion, who was subsequently burned at the stake. After this deception was discovered, Robert lost any hope of acquiring Artois. Robert failed to respond to a fourth summons to appear before the king and was sentenced in absentia to exile and estate confiscation on 8 April 1332. To avoid arrest and execution, Robert fled France and took refuge with his nephew John II, Marquis of Namur. His wife and sons, John and Charles, were imprisoned at Chateau Gaillard in Normandy in 1334. In pursuing Robert, Philip asked the Bishop of Liège to attack Namur. Robert then fled to his nephew-in-law, John III, Duke of Brabant. Philip compelled the duke to abandon Robert, who fled across the English Channel to the court of Edward III of England.