One of the most important persons of his era, he was called "the Great Count of Croy". His level-headed influence was so considerable that, in spite of the violent opposition of Charles "the Bold", he was able to negotiate the repurchase of the towns of the Somme after the famous conference at Peronne. 

At Court it was said that "the Dauphin and Antoine de Croy were three heads under the same hat". A politician and diplomat, he was also a soldier and as such he served Charles "the Bold", Duke of 
Burgundy, against the forces of the city of Liege at Othey. In 1414 he was sent on a mission to the Duke of Berry but, while on the territory of the Duke of Orleans, was captured and imprisoned in the Chateau de Blois. There he was tortured to make him admit that he had been involved in the murder of the previous Duke of Orleans. In 1426 he served with forces in Hainault against the English and 
took part in the battle of Brouwershaven. In 1430, on behalf of Philippe "the Good", Duke of Burgundy, he commanded the troops destined to push back the forces of Liege who had invaded the county of Namur. The Dukes of Burgundy were most grateful in their treatment of their faithful adherent; he was nominated Chamberlain, a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Governor General of the Low Countries and of the Duchy of Luxemburg. 

In 1429 de Croy received the lands, town, the magistrature, the lordship and the peerage of Roeulx. On the 11th of June 1438, from Charles, Duke of Orleans, he bought the Lordship of Porcean, where he 
took good care of his subjects, greatly enlarged his house and rebuilt the chateau. The Lordship of Porcean was raised to the level of Count by letters patent, dated 31 August 1455, from King Charles VII. 

In 1446 he bought the Chateau of Montcornet, restored it and, with a few exceptions, made it into what we know of it today. As the leader of the French party at the court of the Dukes of Burgundy, he was rewarded by the French king who named him the Grand Master of the Household in replacement of the Sire de Gaucourt. In 1458 he was chosen as one of the judges at the trial of the Duke d'Alencon who had been accused of treason. The following year he was chosen as one of the Godfathers of the son of the future King Louis XI. In 1461, at the Consecration of Louis XI, he carried the holy oil with which the kings of France were anointed. 

Treason has often been mentioned in connection with the double game that he was forced to play at the end of the reign of Philippe "the Good". In regards to this he was reported to have said: "I don't want to stop serving the King of France on account of a Count of Charolais", Count of Charolais being the courtesy title of the future Charles "the Bold", Duke of Burgundy. He clashed constantly with this son of the Duke of Burgundy over both serious matters and those of insignificance. The future Charles "the Bold" became very angry with Antoine de Croy over the inheritance of Jeanne d'Harcourt, Countess of Namur, as this was given to him by his father. However, de Croy had not only reclaimed the inheritance of his aunt but in fact had already seized the possessions and furnishings. This rather sordid dispute accentuated the hatred between the two parties, so much so that, when Charles "the Bold" succeeded 
his father as Duke of Burgundy, Antoine de Croy was removed from the government and took refuge in France. 
In 1464 Charles "the Bold" said: "The pride of the Sire de Croy goes so far that, after my retreat into Holland, he asserted that I had gone because of my fear of him, and that as and when he wished he 
could crush me like a wafer between two irons. He (Antoine de Croy) sent the details of the hour of my birth to the Provost of Watenes, a clever astrologer, then advised my father that not only had a 
difficult future been predicted for me but that many great disasters would befall me. He also consulted this Provost in regards to a means of keeping my father always turned against me." 
In 1473 when he was eighty-three years old, he had to humble himself before Charles "the Bold" to obtain the restitution of his possessions and titles which had been confiscated from him. Extremely 
old, in either 1475 or 1477, he died and was buried in the chapel of the Chateau of Porcean. 
 

Source: Leo van de Pas