Early life She was the eldest child (and only daughter) of
Robert II, Count of Artois, and
Amicie of Courtenay. Her paternal grandparents were
Robert I,
Count of Artois, and
Matilda of Brabant. Her maternal grandparents were Pierre de Courtenay, Seigneur de Conches, and Perronelle de Joigny. She was the sister of
Philip of Artois (1269–1298) and Robert of Artois (born 1271). In 1291, Mahaut married
Otto IV, Count of Burgundy. She became the mother of three children, including two girls who married kings of France.
Rule in Artois Because of the premature death of her brother
Philip in 1298, she inherited the
County of Artois at her father's death in 1302, rather than her nephew
Robert III (her inheritance being based upon
proximity of blood). Although he repeatedly challenged the decision, her rights to the county were consistently upheld by the
Parlement of Paris and the royal court. She was an able administrator and managed to defeat the many rebellions perpetrated by members of the nobility. Her senior administrator was the Bishop of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras,
Thierry de Hérisson.
Regency in Burgundy Upon his death in 1303, her spouse, Otto, was succeeded by their daughter
Joan II, Countess of Burgundy in the
County of Burgundy. Since Joan II was under age, Mahaut acted as Joan’s regent during her minority. When Joan II married the future
Philip V of France in 1307, Mahaut continued to rule the domains of her absent daughter until 1315.
Death Upon the death of Mahaut in 1329, the county of Artois was inherited by her daughter Joan. ==Issue==