Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders
Baldwin IV of Flanders (980–1035) known as Baldwin the Bearded, was a French nobleman and the Count of Flanders. He ruled from 987 until his death. His reign saw Flanders grow into a powerful principality.
Career
Baldwin IV, born c.980, was the son of Arnulf II, Count of Flanders and Rozala of Ivrea.[1] When his father died in 987 Baldwin succeeded him as Count of Flanders .[1] His mother, Rozala, was the regent of Flanders until he reached the age of majority. After his father's death, his mother's second marriage was arranged by Hugh Capet.[2] She married Hugh's son Robert II, King of France as his first wife.[3] When Robert repudiated her in 991 Baldwin rebelled.[2] When they came to terms Artois and Ostrevant, once taken from Flanders, were returned to Baldwin.[a][2]
Unlike his predecessors Baldwin was more interested in what lay east of Flanders.[5] He left the southern part of his territory in the hands of his vassals the counts of Guînes, Hesdin, and St. Pol.[5] Baldwin was the first count of Flanders to extend Flemish control eastward.[2] He was given Zeeland as a fief by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II.[2] He also received Valenciennes from the emperor.[2] Then Baldwin obtained parts of the Cambresis as well as Saint-Omer and the northern Ternois (1120).[6]
In the French territories the principality of Flanders remained powerful throughout the Capetian period.[2] The Flemish economy saw strong growth during Baldwin's reign.[2] Baldwin IV died on 30 May, 1035.[1]
Family
Baldwin married first, Ogive of Luxembourg. She was a daughter of Frederick of Luxembourg,[7] by whom he had a son and heir:
- Baldwin V, Count of Flanders (1012–1067). He succeeded his father as count.[7]
He secondly married Eleanor of Normandy, daughter of Richard II, Duke of Normandy,[8] by whom he had a daughter:
- Judith (1033–1094) who married Tostig Godwinson.[8] She secondly Welf I, Duke of Bavaria.[8]
