Arthur III, Duke of Brittany
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Arthur III (August 24 1393 – December 26 1458), known as the Justicier and as Arthur de Richemont, was Count (Earl) of Richmond in England and, for eleven months at the very end of his life, Duke of Brittany after inheriting the title upon the death of his nephew.
Belonging to the family of Montfort, he was a younger son of Duke John IV and just a year before his own death succeeded his nephew Peter II as Duke. Arthur was also Earl of Richmond, a fief in England which had belonged to the ducal family of Brittany ever since being granted by William of Normandy in the 11th century. Arthur's support for Charles VII of France against the English did not allow him to keep the earldom, which was confiscated by the English government and awarded to Duke John of Bedford.
Arthur was an important figure of the French court even before becoming duke of Brittany. He was a reference for his brother Duke John V of Brittany, the head of the French army (as constable of France) at the peak of the Hundred Years War. He was one of the supporters of the charismatic Joan of Arc. Arthur was known for his tenacity and bad temper, characteristics that led to his expulsion from the court in 1427. However, in 1435, Arthur of Brittany was again an influential man and orchestrated the Treaty of Arras between Charles VII of France and Philip III, duke of Burgundy.
Arthur was married three times but had no children and was succeeded as Duke of Brittany by his nephew Francis II, count d'Etampes.
See also: Dukes of Brittany family tree
| Preceded by: Peter II | Duke of Brittany | Succeeded by: Francis II |