Arnulf II, Count of Flanders

Arnulf II was born around 960 or 961 and became Count of Flanders in 965, following the death of his grandfather Arnulf I. His early years were marked by the death of his father, Baldwin III, in 962, when Arnulf was still an infant. A regency under Baldwin Balso was established due to Arnulf’s minority and the fact that his grandfather was still ruling. Upon Arnulf I’s death in 965, Baldwin Balso assumed the regency until his own death in 973. During Arnulf’s minority, Flanders lost territories in the south that were previously acquired by his grandfather.

Arnulf reached his majority in 976 and took control of the governance of Flanders. His rule saw further territorial losses, including parts of Picardy and Ponthieu. He died on 30 March 987 at the young age of 26. His widow went on to marry King Robert II of France shortly after his death.