An experienced soldier, Robert was named as regent of the Angevin Kingdom of Naples in 1285,[2] while the kingdom was engaged in the War of the Sicilian Vespers. He took part in the Aragonese Crusade and attempted an invasion of Sicily in 1287.[3] In 1288, Robert began work on a great park at Hesdin Castle. The park contained a menagerie, aviaries, fishponds, orchards, an enclosed garden and facilities for tournaments.[4] It also contained mechanical statues including waving monkeys draped in skins.[5]
He defeated the Flemings in 1297 at the Battle of Furnes.[6] He was again sent into Flanders in July 1302, where he began to ravage the countryside and attempted to take the town of Kortrijk (Courtrai).
Battle of the Golden Spurs
He then met the Flemish army at the Battle of the Golden Spurs. His infantry advanced with great success against the Flemings (mostly city militia), but he ordered their recall to allow his cavalry to make the final, victorious charge. But on the broken, marshy ground, his knights were unable to gain enough momentum to break the Flemish shieldwall, and they were knocked down and slaughtered. Robert led some of the reserves in a second charge in an attempt to reverse their fortunes. Artois was unhorsed by Willem van Saeftinghe. He and his troops were cut down by the Flemish infantry.[7]
After Amicie's death, Robert married twice more: first, in 1277, to Agnes of Dampierre (1237–1288), heiress of Bourbon,[8] and then, on 18 October 1298 to Margaret (died 1342),[8] daughter of John II, Count of Hainaut. After Robert's death, his daughter Mahaut inherited Artois, but his grandson Robert III unsuccessfully tried to claim it.[1]
In popular culture
Robert II and his "contrivances for amusement"[9] at Hesdin are depicted in the segment "You’ve Been Artois’d!" from Horrible Histories, season 3, episode 1.[10]
Henneman, John Bell Jr. (1995). "Artois". In Kibler, William W.; Zinn, Grover A.; Earp, Lawrence (eds.). Medieval France: An Encyclopedia. Routledge.
Housley, Norman (1992). The Later Crusades, 1274–1580: From Lyons to Alcazar. Oxford University Press.
Landsberg, Sylvia (1995). The Medieval Garden. Thames and Hudson.
Macdougall, Elisabeth B., ed. (1986). Medieval Gardens. Dumbarton Oaks.
Stanton, Charles D. (2019). "BATTLE OF THE COUNTS (23 JUNE 1287)". Roger of Lauria (c.1250-1305): "Admiral of Admirals,". Boydell & Brewer. pp. 198–209. doi:10.2307/j.ctvd58tqg.18.
