Baldwin IV, Count of Hainaut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baldwin IV |
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| A picture showing Baldwin IV's marriage to Alice of Namur from the Chronicles of Hainaut | |
| Spouse(s) | Alice of Namur |
| Issue | |
| Baldwin V, Count of Hainaut | |
| Noble family | House of Flanders |
| Father | Baldwin III, Count of Hainaut |
| Mother | Yolande de Wassenberg |
| Born | 1108 |
| Died | 8 November 1171 |
Baldwin IV (born in 1108, died on November 8, 1171) was an important ruler known as the Count of Hainaut. He held this title from 1120 until his death.
Baldwin IV was the son of Baldwin III, Count of Hainaut and Yolande de Wassenberg. People also called him Baldwin the Builder because he was very active in developing his lands.
Contents
Building and Expanding Hainaut
Baldwin IV worked hard to make his county bigger and stronger.
New Lands and Castles
In 1158, Baldwin bought the area of Ath. He then built a strong tower there called the Burbant tower. This tower helped protect his lands. In the same year, he gave the town of Braine-la-Willotte, also known as Braine-le-Comte, to a religious group called the chapter of Sainte-Waudru.
Adding More Territories
Baldwin continued to expand his rule. In 1159, he added the seigniory (a lord's land) of Chimay to his county. The next year, in 1160, he also took control of the châtellenies (areas ruled by a castellan, or castle governor) of Valencians and Ostrevent. These actions helped to make Hainaut a more powerful region.
Baldwin's Family and Children
Baldwin IV married Alice, who was the heiress of Namur. This marriage was important because it connected Hainaut with the powerful region of Namur.
Together, Baldwin and Alice had several children:
- Yolande (1131–1202): She married two times. First, she married Ivo II, Count of Soissons, and later, she married Hugh IV, Count of St Pol.
- Baldwin (1134–1147): He passed away at a young age.
- Agnes (1142–1168): She married Ralph I, Lord of Coucy. They had children, including Yolande de Coucy, who later married Robert II, Count of Dreux.
- Geoffrey, Count of Ostervant (1147–1163): He was the first husband of Eleanor, Countess of Vermandois.
- Lauret(t)a (1150–1181): She also married twice. Her first husband was Thierry of Alost, and her second was Bouchard IV, Count of Montmorency.
- Baldwin V (1150–1195): He became the next Count of Hainaut. He also became the count of Flanders because he married Margaret I of Flanders, a very important ruler.
Images for kids
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The old coat of arms for Hainaut.
