Baldwin I, Count of Flanders facts for kids
Baldwin I (died 879) was a powerful French nobleman. He was also known as Baldwin Iron Arm (French: Bras de Fer). Around the year 863, he became the very first count of Flanders. A count was a ruler of a large area of land, similar to a duke or a prince. Baldwin helped protect his lands from invaders and made Flanders a strong region.
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How Baldwin Became a Count
Baldwin's father was named Audacer, but we don't know much about him. Before he ruled Flanders, Baldwin was already a count, probably in a city called Ghent.
In 862, Baldwin met Judith, who was the daughter of King Charles the Bald. King Charles ruled a large part of France. Judith had been married twice before to English kings, but she was still very young. Her father was keeping her at a castle in Senlis.
Baldwin and Judith fell in love and decided to run away together. They went to the court of Lothair II, who was the King of Lorraine and Judith's cousin. Once they were safe, Baldwin and Judith got married around 863.
Trouble with the King
King Charles the Bald was very angry that his daughter had run off and married without his permission. He asked his bishops to excommunicate Baldwin and Judith. This meant they were kicked out of the church. The king also demanded that his nephew, Lothair, send them back.
But Baldwin and Judith didn't go back. Instead, they traveled all the way to Rome to see Pope Nicholas I. They asked the Pope to approve their marriage. Baldwin also told the Pope that if his marriage wasn't allowed, he would join the Vikings. The Vikings were fierce raiders who were a big threat to northern France at the time. Baldwin was a strong warrior, and the king needed his help to fight them.
The Pope understood how important Baldwin was. He decided that their marriage was valid and told the bishops to let them back into the church. King Charles the Bald had no choice but to accept Baldwin as his son-in-law. Baldwin and Judith were married a second time in public. The king didn't come, but he sent officials to watch. He also gave Baldwin the lands and titles the Pope suggested.
Protecting Flanders
Baldwin was given control over Flanders and became its first count. He was known as the "Count of the Forest" because Flanders had many forests. For the next fifteen years, he worked hard to protect Flanders from Viking attacks. He was very tough on anyone who tried to invade his lands. This is how he earned the nickname "Baldwin Iron Arm."
To keep Flanders safe, Baldwin built a strong castle in Ghent in 867. The city grew up around this castle, and Ghent became an important center for his rule. He also built another castle in Bruges, which was a port city on the North Sea. This castle also helped stop Viking raids.
When King Charles the Bald died in 877, Baldwin remained loyal to the king's son, Louis the Stammerer. He helped Louis become the new king of the Franks. Baldwin I died in 879, leaving behind a strong and protected Flanders.
Baldwin's Family
Baldwin I married Judith (born around 844, died after 870), the daughter of King Charles the Bald. They had several children:
- Baldwin II (born around 865, died 918): He became the next count of Flanders after his father.
- Raoul (died 896): He was the Count of Cambrai.
- Guinidilda: She married Wifredo I, who was the Count of Barcelona.
Images for kids
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Investiture of Baldwin I by Charles the Bald, as imagined in the 15th century
See also
In Spanish: Balduino I de Flandes para niños
