As a young man, he participated in crusades in
Prussia and The Holy Land. His uncle
Robert III of Artois, which had English sympathies, made him journey in 1346 to Calais to meet Edward III of England, who was
besieging the city. Robert made a good impression on the King. On 30 August 1350, Robert and
Henry of Grosmont commanded the English flagship Salle du Roy, at the
Battle of Les Espagnols sur Mer, off
Winchelsea. On 2 February 1354, Robert of Namur married Isabella of Hainault (1323–1361), younger sister of
Philippa of Hainault, queen consort of King
Edward III of England. Thus Robert became brother-in-law to Edward III. Robert captured the
Escanaffles Castle in 1363. Robert brought
Jean Froissart to England, and introduced him to Queen Philippa. In 1369, Robert defended the English camp at
Tournehem against French attack. He was made
Knight of the Garter in 1369 after the death of
Robert d'Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk. In 1370, Robert requested Jean Froissart to write a recent chronicle of the history of England. On 20 August 1371, Robert fought for
Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg and Brabant, commanding 2,000 men at the
Battle of Baesweiler, but was defeated and released after paying a ransom. In 1373, Jean Froissart completed his first book of the Chronicles and dedicated it to Robert of Namur. == Marriage and Children ==