The Flanders Connection part two

 Count Baldwin III of Flanders

Baldwin III, known as the Young, was born around 940 as the son of Count Arnulf I of Flanders and Adele of Vermandois. In 958, he became co-ruler of the County of Flanders alongside his father. Baldwin married Mathilde Billung of Saxony shortly before 961, and they had a son named Arnulf. During his brief rule, he established the wool manufacturing industry in Ghent and set up markets in other towns across Flanders. Baldwin III died of smallpox on 1 January 962 after a campaign against the Normans. Following his death, his son Arnulf II succeeded him under the guardianship of King Lothair of France.

Mathilde Billung of Saxony (c942-1008) was a daughter of Duke Hermann Billung. Her first marriage was to Baldwin III, Count of Flanders, with whom she had a son. After Count Baldwin's death she married Godfrey, count of Verdun, with whom she had several sons.

Arnulf I of Flanders

Arnulf I, known as "the Great", was the first Count of Flanders. He was born between 893 and 899. Arnulf was the son of Baldwin II of Flanders and Ælfthryth of Wessex, linking him to both the Anglo-Saxon kings of England and Charlemagne. Upon his father's death in 918, Arnulf became Count of Flanders, while his brother Adeloft took the County of Boulogne.

In 933, after Adeloft's death, Arnulf assumed control of Boulogne but later transferred it to his nephew, Arnulf II. He expanded Flemish territory southward, taking regions such as Artois and Ponthieu, and made Bruges a central administrative hub. His conflicts with the Normans led to the murder of William Longsword in 942, and he later focused on reforming the Flemish government.

Arnulf I died on 27 March 964, reportedly murdered by Heluin in revenge for William Longsword's death, and was buried in Saint-Peter's Abbey in Ghent. He was succeeded by his grandson, Arnulf II of Flanders, after his own son Baldwin III predeceased him.

Adele, born c. 910–915 was a daughter of Herbert II of Vermandois and his wife, Adele, daughter of Robert I of France. She died in 960 in Bruges in Western Flanders. In 934 Adele married Count Arnulf I of Flanders and they had the five children including Baldwin III of Flanders.

Count Baldwin II of Flanders

Baldwin II, born around 865, was the second Margrave of Flanders ( a military title), ruling from 879 to 918. He was the son of Baldwin I of Flanders and Judith, daughter of Emperor Charles the Bald. His early rule was challenged by Viking raids, leading him to relocate to Pagus Flandransis, where he built fortifications in key locations such as Saint-Omer and Bruges.

In 888, Baldwin II could have pursued the West Frankish crown after Charles the Fat's deposition but instead supported Arnulf of East Francia, who declined the offer. Baldwin's relationship with King Odo soured over control of the Abbey of St. Bertin, leading to conflict. He expanded his territory southward, gaining control over Artois and the Abbey of St. Vaast.

Baldwin II died on September 10, 918, near Ghent. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Arnulf I of Flanders.

 Between 893 and 899 he married Ælfthryth, the daughter of King Alfred the Great.

Ælfthryth of Wessex was the youngest daughter of Alfred the Great, King of England, and his wife Ealhswith. Her siblings included King Edward the Elder and Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians. Ælfthryth received an education alongside her brother Edward, which was uncommon for princesses of her time. When she married Baldwin II she became the Countess consort of Flanders. Ælfthryth of Wessex died on 7 June 929. Her children included Arnulf I of Flanders and Adalulf, Count of Boulogne.

Judith of Flanders and Count Baldwin I of Flanders

Judith, the eldest daughter of Emperor Charles the Bald, King of West Francia, and his first wife Ermentrude of Orléans was probably born in c843. In 1856 she married her first husband, the elderly King Æthelwulf of Wessex (the father of Alfred the Great). This was a political marriage to strengthen the alliance of the two territories when defending their land from the Vikings. After Æthelwulf's death in 858, Judith was married to his son and successor, Æthelbald. The church did not approve of this union but the marriage continued until the death ofÆthelbald in 860.There were no children from these two marriages.

Judith then returned to her parents in France where she was sent to a convent until her father found her a new husband. Judith took matters into her own hands and, escaping from the convent, married a man named Baldwin. Little is known about this Baldwin before his marriage to Judith. Judith's brother, Louis, assisted her in this endeavour. Judith's father was furious and the pope excommunicated the couple. Judith and Baldwin escaped to Lotharingia and eventually Pope Nicholas II persuaded the King to agree to his daughter's marriage.

King Charles put Baldwin in charge of a military attack against the Vikings which was successful. The area won by Baldwin's soldiers became known as Flanders. Charles the Bald then created the title, Count of Flanders, for Baldwin and from that time he was known as Count Baldwin I of Flanders.

Judith and Baldwin probably had four children. Charles (b. 864), did not survive to adulthood but another son was Baldwin II, Count of Flanders (865–918) while a third son, Raoul (or Rodulf, 867–896), was the Count of Cambrai. A daughter Gunhilde, born about 870, married Guifre I Count of Barcelona.