Individual Details
Count Baudouin I of Flandre
(Est 830 - 879)
Baudouin, also known as Baudouin 'Iron Arm', was probably born about 830. His father was probably Audacer or Odoacer, but nothing definitive is recorded about him. He rose to prominence in 862 when he eloped with Judith de France, daughter of Charles 'the Bald', king of West Francia and Holy Roman Emperor. Judith had previously been married to Aethelwulf, king of England, and his son Aethelbald of Wessex, who succeeded his father as king of England.
Charles did not accept his daughter's marriage and asked his bishops to excommunicate Baudouin and Judith. Judith and Baudouin responded by travelling to Rome to plead their case to Pope Nicholas I. When this was granted, Charles was forced to accept the marriage, and the couple returned to France and then officially married at Auxerre. To give his new son-in-law appropriate status, Charles made him count of Ghent. In the following years Baudouin was also given the responsibility for the areas later known as the counties of Ternois and Flanders, directly south of the Schelde, to fight Viking attacks. Although among historians it is still disputed whether Charles did this in the hope that Baudouin would be killed in the ensuing battles with the Vikings, Baudouin managed the situation remarkably well, hunted the Vikings down, and expanded both his army and his territory quickly. He became one of the most strong, secure and faithful supporters of Charles. The March of Baudouin, which came to be known as the county of Flanders, was for a long time the most powerful principality of France.
Baudouin died in 879. He was succeeded by his elder son by Judith, Baudouin II. His second son Raoul (died 28 June 896) became comte de Vermandois.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Charles did not accept his daughter's marriage and asked his bishops to excommunicate Baudouin and Judith. Judith and Baudouin responded by travelling to Rome to plead their case to Pope Nicholas I. When this was granted, Charles was forced to accept the marriage, and the couple returned to France and then officially married at Auxerre. To give his new son-in-law appropriate status, Charles made him count of Ghent. In the following years Baudouin was also given the responsibility for the areas later known as the counties of Ternois and Flanders, directly south of the Schelde, to fight Viking attacks. Although among historians it is still disputed whether Charles did this in the hope that Baudouin would be killed in the ensuing battles with the Vikings, Baudouin managed the situation remarkably well, hunted the Vikings down, and expanded both his army and his territory quickly. He became one of the most strong, secure and faithful supporters of Charles. The March of Baudouin, which came to be known as the county of Flanders, was for a long time the most powerful principality of France.
Baudouin died in 879. He was succeeded by his elder son by Judith, Baudouin II. His second son Raoul (died 28 June 896) became comte de Vermandois.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | Est 830 | ||||
| Marriage | 862 | Judith de France | |||
| Death | 879 | Arras |
Families
| Spouse | Judith de France (844 - 870) |
| Child | Count Baudouin II of Flandre (863 - 918) |