Gertrude of Saxony facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gertrude of Saxony
Born	c. 1030
Died	(1113-08-04)4 August 1113
Noble family	Billung
Spouse(s)	Floris I, Count of Holland Robert I, Count of Flanders
Issue	Albert Dirk V, Count of Holland Peter Bertha of Holland Floris Matilda Adela Robert II, Count of Flanders Gertrude of Flanders, Duchess of Lorraine Philip of Loo Ogiva
Father	Bernard II, Duke of Saxony
Mother	Eilika of Schweinfurt

Gertrude of Saxony (born around 1030 – died August 4, 1113) was an important noblewoman in medieval Europe. She was also known as Gertrude Billung.

She became a countess by marrying two powerful rulers. First, she married Floris I, Count of Holland. Later, she married Robert I, Count of Flanders.

Gertrude also served as a regent. This means she ruled for her young son, Dirk V, in Holland from 1061 to 1067. She also ruled for her husband in Flanders from 1086 to 1093 when he was away.

Gertrude's Early Life

Gertrude was born around the year 1030. Her father was Bernard II, Duke of Saxony. Her mother was Eilika of Schweinfurt.

Countess of Holland

Around 1050, Gertrude married Floris I, Count of Holland. He was the ruler of Holland. They had several children together.

In 1061, Floris I died. Their son, Dirk V, became the new Count of Holland. However, Dirk was still very young. Because of this, Gertrude became the regent. She ruled Holland until Dirk was old enough to take over.

While Gertrude was regent, a powerful church leader named William I, Bishop of Utrecht tried to take land from Holland. Gertrude and her son had to move to the islands of Frisia (now part of the Netherlands). Bishop William then took control of the disputed lands.

Countess of Flanders

In 1063, Gertrude married again. Her second husband was Robert I, Count of Flanders. He was also known as Robert the Frisian. He was the second son of Baldwin V, Count of Flanders.

This marriage was very important for Gertrude's son, Dirk V. It helped him get back some of his family's lands. These lands included parts of Flanders and the islands of Frisia.

Gertrude and Robert then worked together. They were co-regents for Dirk V in Holland. They helped him rule until he was old enough to govern on his own.

Later, Gertrude's second husband, Robert, went on a long journey to Jerusalem. This was between 1086 and 1093. While he was away, Gertrude once again became a regent. She ruled Flanders during his absence.

Gertrude's Family

Gertrude had many children from her two marriages.

Children with Floris I of Holland

With her first husband, Floris I, Count of Holland, Gertrude had seven children:

• Albert (born around 1051), who became a priest in Liège.
• Dirk V (born around 1052 in Vlaardingen – died 17 June 1091). He became the Count of Holland.
• Peter (born around 1053), who also became a priest in Liège.
• Bertha (born around 1055 – died 15 October 1094). She married Philip I of France in 1072.
• Floris (born around 1055), another son who became a priest in Liège.
• Matilda (born around 1057). She married Adalbert von Saffenburg von Klosterath.
• Adela (born around 1061). She married Baudouin I, Count of Guînes.

Children with Robert I of Flanders

With her second husband, Robert I, Count of Flanders, Gertrude had five children:

• Robert II of Flanders (born around 1065 – died October 5, 1111). He became the Count of Flanders.
• Adela (died 1115). She first married King Canute IV of Denmark. Their son was Charles the Good, who later became Count of Flanders. Adela then married Roger Borsa, who was a duke in Italy.
• Gertrude. She married Theodoric II, Duke of Lorraine. Their son was Thierry of Alsace, who also became Count of Flanders.
• Philip of Loo. His son, William of Ypres, later tried to claim the county of Flanders.
• Ogiva, who became an abbess (a leader of a group of nuns) in Messines.

Images for kids

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  Gertrude of Saxony