# Robert of Artois — Edward III character guide

> Robert of Artois in Edward III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Artois, Edward Robert of Artois

**First appearance:** 0001-act-i

## Snapshot

A banished French nobleman who trades his native country's secrets for an English earldom, arming Edward with the legal ammunition to invade France.

## Who they are

Artois arrives at Edward's court as a man without a country, rewarded with the earldom of Richmond for services not yet rendered. He recites the genealogy of Philip Le Beau with the precision of a man who has studied his grievance, framing the Valois succession as usurpation and Edward as the 'lineal watchman' of peace. His motives are deliberately ambiguous — he swears by Heaven that love of country and right, not private hate, drives him — and that ambiguity makes him both indispensable and untrustworthy, a counselor whose fiery words engender courage in a king who was 'rack'd in ignorance.'

## Relationships

### [King Edward III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/king_edward_iii)

_friendship_

Robert of Artois is a close ally and friend to King Edward III, serving as a key advisor and supporter of his claim to France.

### [Queen Philip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/queen_philip)

_friendship_

Queen Philip and Robert of Artois share a cordial alliance as part of the English court and war effort.

### [Countess of Salisbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/countess_of_salisbury)

_social_

The Countess of Salisbury and Robert of Artois are acquaintances within the English courtly setting.

### [Lord Audley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/lord_audley)

_friendship_

Lord Audley and Robert of Artois are comrades-in-arms and allies in the English campaign against France.

### [Edward Plantagenet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/edward_plantagenet)

_friendship_

Edward Plantagenet and Robert of Artois share a mentor-student friendship, with Artois guiding the young prince in chivalry.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Advises Edward on his hereditary claim to France and is granted the earldom of Richmond.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Mentioned as part of the king's planned expedition through Flanders.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Presents the shield to Prince Edward and brings news of the prince's approach.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Urgently requests rescue for the prince, offering his own life.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi)

Concerned for the Prince's safety, encourages him to continue fighting, laments the lack of arrows.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Enters with Philip, having captured the 'late good-counsel-giver' to the prince.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Enters with Prince Edward after the victory.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/robert_of_artois
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters