Robert of Namur

Robert of Namur (1323–1391), a younger son of John I of Namur, tied his fortunes to England. As a young man he crusaded in Prussia and the Holy Land. In 1346 his uncle Robert III of Artois sent him to Edward III's camp at the Calais siege, where he made a good impression on the king.

In 1350 he commanded the flagship at Winchelsea; in 1354 he married Isabella of Hainault, sister of Queen Philippa, and became Edward's brother-in-law. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1369. In 1371 he led troops for Wenceslaus of Brabant at Baesweiler, lost, and was ransomed.

He brought Jean Froissart to England; at his request Froissart wrote a history whose first book of 1373 was dedicated to him. Neither of his marriages produced children.