Louis II of Flanders

Louis of Male

Louis II of Flanders (25 October 1330, Male – 30 January 1384, Lille), also Louis III of Artois and Louis I of Palatine Burgundy, known as Louis of Male, was the son of Louis I of Flanders and Marguerite of France, and Count of Flanders.

On his father's death at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, he inherited the counties of Flanders, Nevers, and Rethel. On the death of his father-in-law in 1355, he took the title of Duke of Brabant, but was unable to wrest the duchy from his sister-in-law Joanna, Duchess of Brabant.

The latter years of his rule were marked by civil strife. In 1379, he obtained aid from his son-in-law, Philip II of Burgundy, to put down a revolt in Ghent. The Flemings again rose under Philip van Artevelde and expelled him from Flanders after the Battle of Beverhoutsveld; however, the influence of Philip procured a French army to relieve him, and the Flemings were decisively defeated at the Battle of Roosebeke. However, the citizens of Ghent continued to resist (with English aid) until after his death in 1384. His mother had died two years previously, leaving him the counties of Artois and the Franche-Comte.

Family

In 1347, he married Margaret of Brabant (1323–1368), daughter of John III, Duke of Brabant. They had three children:

• Pierre (died young)
• Charles (predeceased his father)
• Margaret III, Countess of Flanders (1348–1405)

He also left several illegitimate sons, three of whom were killed at the Battle of Nicopolis.

As he left no surviving sons, on his death, his extensive possessions in the Low Countries were inherited by his daughter Margaret.

Preceded by Louis I	Count of Flanders , Nevers and Rethel 1346 – 1384	Succeeded by Margaret of Dampierre with Philip the Bold
Preceded by Marguerite of France	Count of Artois and Franche-Comté 1382 – 1384

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