Arnulf I, Count of Flanders facts for kids
Arnulf of Flanders (born around 890, died 964), also known as the Great, was an important French nobleman. He was the third count of Flanders, a powerful ruler in his region. He led the County of Flanders from 918 until his death. This area is now parts of northwestern Belgium and southwestern Netherlands. Arnulf greatly expanded the lands under his control during his time as count.
Arnulf's Life and Rule
Arnulf was born around the year 890. His father was Baldwin II, Count of Flanders. His mother was Ælfthryth of Wessex, who was a daughter of Alfred the Great, a famous king of England. This meant Arnulf was related to both the Anglo-Saxon kings of England and the famous Charlemagne. He was named after Saint Arnulf of Metz.
When Arnulf's father died in 918, Arnulf became the Count of Flanders. His brother, Adelolf, became the Count of Boulogne. When Adelolf died in 933, Arnulf took control of Boulogne and Ternois. He likely did this as a guardian for his young nephews. Later, he gave the County of Boulogne to his nephew, Arnulf II.
Arnulf I made the Flemish lands much bigger by expanding south. He took over areas like Artois, Ponthieu, Amiens, and Ostrevent. Arnulf used the disagreements between different French kings and their barons to gain more land. During his expansion south, Arnulf had conflicts with the Normans. They were trying to protect their own borders. Sadly, this led to the killing of the Duke of Normandy, William Longsword, by Arnulf's men in 942.
As Arnulf got older, the Viking threat became less serious. He then focused on making his county's government work better and more organized.
In 962, Arnulf's son, Baldwin III, died. This caused a problem for who would rule next. Baldwin's son, Arnulf II 'the Young', was still a child. To make sure his grandson would become count, Arnulf offered King Lothair of France some of his lands, like Artois, Ponthieu, and Ostrevant. In return, the king promised to protect Arnulf II. When Arnulf II became old enough to rule, he inherited a County of Flanders that was not as strong as before. Arnulf I died on March 27, 964.
Arnulf's Family
We don't know the name of Arnulf's first wife, but he had at least one daughter with her:
- A daughter whose name is unknown; she married Isaac of Cambrai. Their son, Arnulf, became Count of Cambrai after his father.
In 934, Arnulf married Adele of Vermandois, who was the daughter of Herbert II of Vermandois. Their children were:
- Hildegarde, born around 934, died 990. She married Dirk II, Count of Holland. It's not completely clear if she was from his first or second marriage.
- Liutgard (935–962); she married Wichmann IV, Count of Hamaland.
- Egbert, who died in 953.
- Baldwin III, Count of Flanders (around 940 – 962); he married Mathilde of Saxony (died 1008). His son, Arnulf II, became Count of Flanders after his grandfather, Arnulf I.
- Elftrude; she married Siegfried, Count of Guînes.
See also
In Spanish: Arnulfo I de Flandes para niños
