Count of Flanders facts for kids

The Count of Flanders was the main leader of a region called Flanders. This important title existed for a very long time, from the 800s until the French Revolution in 1790. The first Count was named Baldwin I, who was also known as "Iron Arm." Early Counts worked hard to make Flanders bigger and keep it independent. Because Flanders didn't have strong natural borders, it was sometimes easy for other groups to enter. Many Counts were also interested in hunting and protecting their hunting areas, which is why some were called "foresters." The very last Count was Francis II. After 1795, Flanders was no longer a county.

Who Were the Counts of Flanders?

The Counts of Flanders were the rulers of the County of Flanders. This region is now part of modern-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Over many centuries, different families, known as "Houses," held the title of Count. Each House ruled for a period, and the title usually passed down through their family.

The First House of Flanders (863-1119)

The first family to rule Flanders was started by Baldwin I "Iron Arm". He became Count in 863. His son, Baldwin II "the Bald", followed him. This family ruled for a long time, with many important Counts like Arnulf I "the Great" and Baldwin V de Lille. They helped shape the early history of Flanders.

Other Ruling Families (1119-1384)

After the first family, other powerful Houses took over the title of Count of Flanders. These included:

• House of Estridsen: Charles I "the Good" ruled from 1119 to 1127.
• House of Normandy: William I Clito was Count for a short time from 1127 to 1128.
• House of Alsace or Metz: Theodoric became Count in 1128. His daughter, Margaret I, also ruled.
• The Second House of Flanders: Baldwin IX was a very important Count. He also became the Latin Emperor of Constantinople! His daughters, Joan I and Margaret II, ruled after him.
• House of Dampierre: This family included Guy I and Robert III, who was known as "the Lion of Flanders." Louis I and Louis II also ruled during this time.

The House of Burgundy (1384-1482)

The House of Burgundy became the rulers when Margaret III married Philip II. This brought Flanders under the control of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy. Important Counts from this family included John the Fearless and Philip III "the Good". The last ruler from this House was Mary "the Rich".

The House of Habsburg (1482-1792)

The Habsburg family took over when Mary of Burgundy married Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. This was a very powerful European family.

• Philip IV "the Handsome" was the first Habsburg Count of Flanders.
• Charles III was a famous ruler. He was also the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. In 1549, he made a rule called the Pragmatic Sanction of 1549. This rule said that Flanders would always be connected to the other Low Countries.
• Later, Flanders became part of the Spanish branch of the Habsburg family, with rulers like Philip V and Philip VI.
• For a short time, the House of Bourbon ruled, with Philip VII becoming Count in 1700.
• After a war, the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg took control in 1714. Maria Theresa was a well-known ruler from this time.
• The last Count of Flanders was Francis II.

End of the County

The title of Count of Flanders ended after revolutionary France took over Flanders in 1795. Francis II gave up his claim to the Low Countries in 1797. The area remained part of France until the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

See also

In Spanish: Conde de Flandes para niños