Richilde of Hainaut

Richilde ( 1018 – 15 March 1086), was a ruling countess of Hainaut from c. 1050 until 1076, in co-regency with her husband Baldwin VI of Flanders (until 1070) and then her son Baldwin II of Hainaut. She was also countess of Flanders by marriage to Baldwin VI between from 1067 to 1070. She ruled Flanders as regent during the minority of her son Arnulf III in 1070–1071.

Life Richilde may have been a daughter of Reinier of Hasnon (died c. 1049) and Adelheid of Egisheim. She was born c. 1018. In 1040, she married Herman of Mons, who became Count of Hainaut.

As Hainaut and Valenciennes were imperial fiefs and Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor had not been consulted, the marriage resulted in a war between the emperor and the Baldwins, ending in a total defeat of the latter in 1054.

But still Richilde's husband Baldwin became ruling count of Hainaut jure uxoris and the two children she had with Herman were disinherited. Roger, probably lame, became a secular clerk (later Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne) and her daughter a nun. Baldwin VI also obtained assurances from his brother Robert who gave his oath of homage and promised to protect his nephew.

Almost immediately, Robert broke his oath and disputed Arnulf's right to Flanders. Richilde obtained support from King Philip I of France. William FitzOsbern of Normandy (who married her) also assisted her in the conflict, but likely with a very small contingent. However, her forces were defeated at the Battle of Cassel and William FitzOsbern was killed along with her oldest son, Arnulf. Richilde herself was captured and released, and King Philip later married Robert's stepdaughter Bertha and recognized him as Count of Flanders, abandoning the cause of Richilde and her son.

Richilde built the Château de Beaumont along with a chapel there dedicated to St. Venantius.

At the end of her regency she retired to the Abbey of Messines.

Family Richilde married Herman, Count of Hainaut. They had two children: Roger (d. 1093) who was apparently lame, became Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne. Daughter, whose name is unknown.

Richilde married secondly Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders. They were the parents of: Arnulf III, Count of Flanders (c. 1055 – 22 February 1071). Baldwin II, Count of Hainaut (c. 1056 – 1098).

In 1071 Richilde married thirdly William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford (c. 1025 – 1071).