William I, Count of Hainaut

William the Good (, ; – 7 June 1337) was count of Hainaut (as William I), Avesnes, Holland (as William III), and Zeeland (as William II) from 1304 to his death.

Career

William, born , was the son of John II, Count of Hainaut, and Philippa, daughter of Henry V, Count of Luxembourg. He was the brother of John of Beaumont and Alice of Hainault.

William was originally not expected to become count. After the deaths of his elder brothers, John (killed at Kortrijk in 1302) and Henry (d. 1303), he became heir apparent to his father's counties. William continued the war with Flanders until the Peace of Paris in 1323, during which the Count of Flanders renounced all claims on Zeeland. William, in turn, gained all of Zeeland but agreed to renounce all claims on Imperial Flanders. With these important alliances William gained considerable influence and respect, which he used to advance the interests of his counties. and had the following children: William II, Count of Hainaut (1307–1345)

boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc; boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9; boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc; boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc; 1= 1. William I, Count of Hainaut 2= 2. John II, Count of Holland 3= 3. Philippa of Luxembourg 4= 4. John I of Avesnes 5= 5. Adelaide of Holland 6= 6. Henry V of Luxembourg 7= 7. Margaret of Bar