Mahaut, Countess of Artois

Mahaut, Countess of Artois, was a powerful French noblewoman of the early fourteenth century. Her disputed inheritance, political authority and connections to the Capetian court made her a major figure in aristocratic conflict around the Hundred Years’ War’s origins.

In Maurice Druon’s The Iron King, Alongside the royal crisis, Robert of Artois renews his struggle against his aunt Mahaut for possession of the county, creating a conflict that will outlast Philip's reign. In Maurice Druon’s The Strangled Queen, the rival factions around Charles of Valois, Philip of Poitiers, Mahaut of Artois and Robert of Artois compete for influence over the inexperienced king. Other novels featuring Mahaut, Countess of Artois include Maurice Druon’s The Poisoned Crown, Maurice Druon’s The Lily and the Lion, and Maurice Druon’s The Royal Succession.