Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders
Baldwin VI of Flanders (c. 1030–1070), called Baldwin de Mons was a Frankish nobleman. He was the ruling Count of Hainaut (jure uxoris) from 1051 to 1070 (as Baldwin I) and succeeded his father as Count of Flanders from 1067 to 1070.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Balduin_Mons.jpg/250px-Balduin_Mons.jpg)
Career
Baldwin was the oldest son of Baldwin V, Count of Flanders and Adela of France. Adela was a daughter of king Robert II of France.[1] and Constance of Arles.[2] He was also the brother of Matilda of Flanders, Queen consort of England and wife of William the Conqueror, King of England.[3]
His father arranged his marriage, under threat of arms, to Richilde, Countess of Hainaut.[4] She was the widow of Herman of Mons and heiress of Hainaut.[4] Because Hainaut was a part of the Holy Roman Empire this enraged Emperor Henry III who had not been consulted. He went to war against the two Baldwins but was not successful.[4] Between 1050 and 1054 Lambert II, Count of Lens fought alongside the Baldwins against Henry III. He was one of Baldwin V's leading vassals.[5] Lambert was killed at the battle of Lille in 1054.[6] Others fighting for the Counts of Flanders against Henry III included the lords of Alost.[7]
Richilde son Roger, from her first marriage, was thought by her not fit to be the next count of Hainaut.[1] Baldwin and Richilde arranged for him to be the Bishop of Chalons.[1] This allowed her son by her second marriage, Baldwin (II) to become the count of Hainaut. Her daughter by her first husband became a nun.[1] Baldwin acquired the remainder of the county of Hainaut by fiefs and by purchasing allods.[a] Baldwin died 17 Jul 1070.[3] His early death left Flanders and Hainaut in the hands of his young son Arnulf III,[b] with Richilde as regent.[11]
Baldwin rebuilt the monastery of Hasnon and gave gifts of his own properties to support it.[1] He placed monks there and made it his burial place.[12]
Family
Baldwin and Richilde were the parents of: