On September 17th.1322, Robert III of Flanders died. Robert III has several names: Robert of Béthune; and The Lion of Flanders. Nowadays the Lion of Flanders is a symbol of the Flemish nationalism. Family His parents were Guy of Dampierre and Matilda of Béthune. Love and Marriage Robert married twice. 1/ Blanche of Sicily, the daughter of Charles I of Sicily and Beatrice of Provence. They had one son, Charles, who died young. 2/ Yolande II, Countess of Nevers, daughter of Odo Count of Nevers. They had 5 children. Duty In 1299 his father passed the reign over Flanders to Robert III during his war with King Philip IV of France. In May 1300 both father and son were taken captive by the French. However they were released in 1305. On 11 July 1302, the famous Battle of the Golden Spurs took place, however unlike what's told in the popular roman of Hendrik Conscience, Robert III wasn't at the Battlefield because he was taken captive by the French. Rob
