Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut

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Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut (c. 1031 - 15 March 1086) Her parentage is unknown, although she is often recorded a daughter of Regnier V of Mons and Mathilde of Verdun, who were actually her parents-in-law.

She was married firstly to Hermann of Mons, count of Hainaut, son of Régnier V, count of Hainaut and Mathilde of Verdun, circa 1043. They served as co-rulers in Mons and Hainaut from1039 to 1051.

Soon after the death of Hermann, Richilde married Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders. By their marriage Flanders took control of the County of Hainaut (at that moment still a conglomerate of the county of Mons, the margraviate of Valenciennes and the southern county out of the Brabant shire). When she was fifty-two Richilde made an alliance with Philip I of France of France and led her troops into battle against her second husband.

Richilde and Baldwin were parents of:

• Arnulf III, Count of Flanders (c. 1055 - February 22, 1071).
• Baldwin II, Count of Hainaut (c. 1056 - 1098).
• Agnes of Flanders

Baldwin VI died on July 17, 1070. Richilde served as Regent for their son Arnulf III.

Richilde thirdly married, circa 1070, to William Fitzosbern, 1st Earl of Hereford (c. 1025-1071).

Preceded by: Regnier V of Mons

Count of Hainaut 1039–1051

Succeeded by: Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders

[edit] References

• Salmonson, Jessica Amanda.(1991) The Encyclopedia of Amazons. Paragon House. Page 222. ISBN 1-55778-420-5
• The Family History of Robert Brian Stewart