Robert I, Count of Flanders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert I |
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Seal of Robert I
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| Count of Flanders | |
| Reign | 1071–1093 |
| Predecessor | Arnulf III |
| Successor | Robert II |
| Born | c. 1035 |
| Died | 13 October 1093 (aged 57–58) |
| Spouse | Gertrude of Saxony |
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| House | House of Flanders |
| Father | Baldwin V of Flanders |
| Mother | Adela of France |
Robert I (born around 1035 – died 13 October 1093) was an important ruler known as Robert the Frisian. He was the count of Flanders from 1071 until his death. Robert was the son of Baldwin V, Count of Flanders, and the younger brother of Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders.
He became count after winning a big battle against his nephew, Arnulf III. Arnulf's allies included King Philip I of France. This battle was called the Battle of Cassel. After his victory, Robert made peace with King Philip. However, he remained unfriendly towards his sister Matilda and her husband, William the Conqueror, who was the King of England.
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Early Life of Robert I
Robert was the younger son of Baldwin V of Flanders and Adela. His mother Adela was a daughter of King Robert II of France.
His older brother, Baldwin VI, became the count of Flanders after their father died in 1067. Robert's sister, Matilda, married William the Conqueror in 1051 or 1052. William was then the duke of Normandy and later became the king of England.
Robert's Time as Regent of Holland
In 1063, Robert married Gertrude of Saxony. She was the dowager countess of Holland, meaning she was the widow of the previous count. Robert's father did not arrange this marriage, but he did agree to it.
Robert earned his nickname, 'the Frisian,' when he acted as a regent for his stepson, Count Dirk V of Holland. A regent is someone who rules for a child who is too young to rule themselves.
Robert and Gertrude had six children:
- Robert, who later became count of Flanders.
- Adela (died 1115), who became queen of Denmark.
- Gertrude, who became duchess of Lorraine.
- Philip.
- Ogiva, who became the abbess of Messines (a leader in a convent).
- Baldwin (died before 1080).
Robert had promised twice that he would not try to claim Flanders. The first promise was made in Audenarde, where he received money for giving up his claim. The second promise was made in Bruges in front of his brother Baldwin VI.
When Baldwin VI was dying in 1070, he left Flanders and Hainaut to his older son, Arnulf III. Arnulf's mother, Richilde, was meant to rule as regent until Arnulf was old enough.
Becoming Count of Flanders
Even though he had promised not to, Robert challenged his nephew Arnulf III for control of Flanders after Baldwin VI died. Robert gathered supporters in the Maritime Flanders region and in the city of Ghent. He then entered Ghent, planning to take Flanders for himself.
Richilde asked King Philip I of France for help. King Philip told Robert to come and explain himself, but Robert refused. He continued his fight against Richilde. So, King Philip gathered an army and brought it to Flanders. His allies included the counts of Boulogne, Saint-Pol, and Ardres. Norman soldiers, likely sent by Robert's sister Queen Matilda, also joined Philip's army. These soldiers were led by William FitzOsborn.
The Battle of Cassel
The two armies fought at Cassel on 22 February 1071. King Philip fled the battle. Both Robert and Richilde were captured during the fighting, but Robert's side eventually won.
Sadly, Arnulf III died in the battle. William FitzOsborn also died. After this victory, Robert claimed the title of count of Flanders. Richilde's son Baldwin became count of Hainaut and continued to fight against Robert.
Peace with France
King Philip gathered more forces and invaded Flanders, burning the town of Saint-Omer. However, Count Robert eventually negotiated a peace agreement. This peace was made stronger when Robert's stepdaughter, Bertha of Holland, married King Philip.
As part of their talks, the important trade center of Corbie was returned to royal control. Arnulf III had given Corbie to the king to get his help. From that time on, Flanders and France remained friendly. Both countries saw the new Anglo-Norman kingdom (England and Normandy) as their main enemy. This friendship lasted until King Philip divorced Bertha in 1092 to marry another woman.
Ending the War with Hainaut
After the Battle of Cassel, Richilde and Baldwin continued their war against Robert. To get money, they gave control of Hainaut to the bishopric of Liège. They also had the support of Godfrey IV, Duke of Lower Lorraine.
Near the forest of Broqueroye, Robert caused heavy losses to the Hainaut forces. Later, Baldwin won a battle at Wavrechain. After this, the war with Hainaut ended, and Robert was the clear ruler of Flanders.
Flanders and England
Flanders became a safe place for people who were enemies of William the Conqueror. This included Edgar Ætheling in 1075 and William's rebellious son Robert Curthose in 1078-1079.
In 1075, Robert allowed the Danish fleet of King Sweyn II of Denmark to use Flanders' harbors. They planned to attack England. In 1080, Robert's daughter Adela married Canute IV of Denmark when he became king.
In 1085, Robert and Canute planned a huge naval attack on England. The threat was so serious that William the Conqueror hired soldiers and destroyed some coastal areas to make it harder for an invading army to get supplies. However, a rebellion by Canute's brother Olaf delayed the attack. Canute's assassination then completely ended the plan.
Conflicts in Holland
Even before he became count of Flanders, Robert was involved in ongoing fights in Holland. He was defending the rights of his stepson Dirk V against Godfrey IV and William I, the bishop of Utrecht.
In 1076, Godfrey died at Vlaardingen, and later William died. This allowed Robert and Dirk to go on the attack. They won an important battle at Yselmond, even capturing the new bishop, Conrad. This victory changed the course of the fighting, allowing Dirk and future counts to win back territories they had lost in the past.
Robert's Relationship with the Church
Robert's relationship with Pope Gregory VII was complicated by a conflict between the Pope and the bishops of Thérouanne. Since Robert did not act against Bishop Drogo, he was excommunicated (kicked out of the Church) around 1077.
Pope Gregory was not happy with this excommunication because he needed allies, not more enemies, in his conflict with Henry IV. He ordered his representative to investigate and lift the excommunication if it was not proper. The excommunication was likely lifted after September 1079. Problems continued with Drogo's successors, Hubert and Lambert, as Robert still refused to act against them. Gregory threatened Robert with another excommunication, but it was not carried out.
Later, during the time of Urban II as Pope, the Flemish clergy (church leaders) complained about the demands Robert placed on them. This happened at a church meeting in Rheims around 1092. A group of church officials threatened Robert with an interdict (a ban on church services) if he did not stop his demands. Robert agreed and returned the things he had taken.
Later Years and Pilgrimage
In 1086, Robert the Frisian went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He took a large armed group with him for protection. On his way back home, he spent time helping the Byzantine Emperor (Alexios I Komnenos) fight against the Seljuq Turks.
In one battle, Robert and three of his friends rode ahead of the main army. They charged into the forces led by Kerbogha, and the Christians completely scattered Kerbogha's army. Robert died on 13 October 1093.
