William II, Count of Flanders facts for kids
William III (born 1224 – died June 6, 1251) was an important noble in medieval Europe. He was the lord of a place called Dampierre starting in 1231. Later, he became the count of Flanders in 1247, a powerful position, and held it until he passed away. William was the son of William II of Dampierre and Margaret II of Flanders.
Contents
Becoming Count of Flanders
William's mother, Margaret, inherited two important regions: Flanders and Hainaut in 1244. This inheritance caused a big family argument, known as the War of the Succession of Flanders and Hainault.
Family Conflict and Inheritance
The conflict was between William and his brothers (the Dampierre family) and the children from Margaret's first marriage. Margaret really wanted William to be her main heir.
Peace and Official Title
In 1246, Louis IX of France, who was the King of France, stepped in to help settle the fight. He decided that Flanders would go to William. Hainaut would go to John I of Avesnes, one of Margaret's children from her first marriage. Because of this decision, Margaret officially made William the Count of Flanders in 1247.
Marriage and Later Life
In November 1247, William married Beatrice of Brabant. She was the daughter of Henry II, Duke of Brabant. William and Beatrice did not have any children together.
Continuing Disputes
Even after the main agreement, a smaller fight continued over a city called Namur. This was still between the Dampierre family and the Avesnes family.
William's Death
Finally, a peace agreement was signed on May 19, 1250. Sadly, William died shortly after, on June 6, 1251. He passed away during a tournament in a place called Trazignies. After his death, the family conflict started up again. William's younger brother, Guy, then took over as the Count of Flanders.
Images for kids
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William's seal
