Baldwin II, Margrave of Flanders

Baldwin II, born around 865, was the second margrave of Flanders and reigned from 879 until his death in 918. He earned the nickname ‘the Bald’ after his maternal grandfather, Emperor Charles the Bald. During the early part of his rule, Baldwin II’s territory suffered from Viking incursions. He fortified his lands by constructing wooden defenses in key locations such as Saint-Omer, Bruges, Ghent, and Kortrijk and seized lands left by royal and ecclesiastical authorities, which later became important administrative centers.

After the deposition of Charles the Fat in 888, Baldwin II did not vie for the West Frankish crown, despite his lineage. His marriage to Ælfthryth of Wessex between 893 and 899 was strategic, bolstering his control over the Canche River valley. He was involved in significant conflicts, including those with Odo, Count of Paris, and Herbert I, Count of Vermandois, leading to assassinations and his excommunication. Baldwin II died on September 10, 918, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Arnulf I.