The Matrimonial Policy of Gui de Dampierre, Count of Flanders (1252-1305) and Namur (1263-1298)

Gui do Dampierre, Count of Flanders and Namur, had sixteen children from two different spouses, Mathilde de Bethune and later Isabelle de Luxembourg. Insofar as this important offspring fully served the diplomatic aims of Gui de Dampierre, the term "matrimonial policy" takes on its full meaning. The one he implemented extended along three axes: from the outset, to fight against the influence of the Avesnes in Lotharingia and to ensure that the Prince-Bishopricof Liege was surrounded by allied princes; later, to find allies in his desire to emancipate himself from the interventions of Philip Iv; and throughout his life, to find rich heirs, to comfortably settle his numerous descendants without squandering his own property.