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- Gertrude of Saxony (also known as Gertrude Billung) (c. 1030 - August 4, 1113), was the daughter of Bernard II, Duke of Saxony and Eilika of Schweinfurt. She married Floris I, Count of Holland (c. 1017 - June 28, 1061) c. 1050, and upon his death, her son Dirk V became Count of Holland. Since he was still young, she became regent. When Dirk V came into power, William I, Bishop of Utrecht, took advantage of the situation, occupying territory that he had claimed in Holland. Gertrude and her son withdrew to the islands of Frisia (Zeeland), leaving William to occupy the disputed lands. In 1063 Gertrude married Robert of Flanders (Robert the Frisian), the second son of Baldwin V of Flanders. This act gave Dirk the Imperial Flanders as an appanage - including the islands of Frisia west of the Frisian Scheldt. She and her husband then acted as co-regents for the young count.
Robert I of Flanders (b. between 1029 and 1032 - October 13, 1093, Kassel), known as Robert the Frisian, was count of Flanders from 1071 to 1092. He was the younger son of Baldwin V of Flanders and Ad?le, a daughter of King Robert II of France. Robert was originally intended to secure the northern borders of Flanders by his marriage to Gertrude of Saxony, Dowager Countess of Holland, but after his brother's death in 1070 he displaced his nephews and became count of Flanders. Robert's nephew Arnulf III (son of Baldwin VI of Flanders) succeeded his father in 1070 and was supported by his mother Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut. However, Robert challenged Arnulf's succession to the throne of Flanders and began rallying support mainly in northern Flanders (where the bulk of Arnulf's forces were located). Arnulf's ranks contained individuals such as Count Eustace II of Boulogne, Count Eustace III of Boulogne, and Godfrey of Bouillon. Moreover, Arnulf was supported by King Philip I of France since Philip's aunt, Adela, married Baldwin V of Flanders. A contingent of ten Norman knights led by William FitzOsborn were among the forces sent by Philip to aid Arnulf. Robert's forces attacked Arnulf's numerically superior army at Cassel before it could organize. Arnulf himself was killed along with William FitzOsborn while Richilde was captured by Robert's forces. However, Robert himself was captured by Eustace II. Ultimately, Richilde was exchanged for Robert's freedom. As a result of the battle Robert became count of Flanders.
This database researched and compiled by Norman Lee Madsen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 21 July 2015.
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