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Which rulers supported Edward III in the Low Countries?
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Edward III
Edward III, watercolour, 15th century; in the British Library (Cotton MS. Julius E. IV).
To secure his position in the Low Countries during the early stages of the Hundred Yearsâ War, Edward III formed strategic alliances with several regional rulers and leaders. His key supporters included:
- William II, count of Hainaut: Edwardâs brother-in-law.1
- John III, duke of Brabant: A significant regional ally.1
- Louis IV (âthe Bavarianâ): The Holy Roman emperor, with whom Edward made an alliance in 1338.1
- Jacob van Artevelde: A prominent citizen of Ghent who led the Flemish towns in their rebellion against the pro-French Louis I, count of Flanders.1
These alliances were largely motivated by the Flemish textile industry's need for a consistent supply of English wool, which encouraged the cities to support Edward against the French crown.1