What is Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders?
[[File:Baldwin IV of Flanders.jpg|thumb|right|200px|{{center|Baldwin IV ''the Bearded'' Count of Flanders.}}]] '''Baldwin IV of Flanders''' (980–1035) known as ''Baldwin the Bearded'', was a [[France|French]] [[nobleman]] and the [[Count of Flanders]]. He ruled from 987 until his death. His reign saw [[Flanders]] grow into a powerful [[:wikt:principality|principality]]. == Career == Baldwin IV, born c.980, was the son of [[Arnulf II, Count of Flanders]] and Rozala of Ivrea.<ref name=ESII-5>Detlev Schwennicke, ''Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten'', Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 5</ref> When his father died in 987 Baldwin succeeded him as Count of Flanders .<ref name=ESII-5/> His mother, Rozala, was the [[:wikt:regent|regent]] of Flanders until he reached the [[:wikt:age of majority|age of majority]]. After his father's death, his mother's second marriage was arranged by [[Hugh Capet]].<ref name=Bradbury55>Jim Bradbury, ''The Capetians : Kings of France, 987-1314'' (London: Hambledon Continuum, 2007), p. 55</ref> She married Hugh's son [[Robert II of France|Robert II, King of France]] as his first wife.<ref>Constance Brittain Bouchard, ''Those of My Blood: Creating Noble Families in Medieval Francia'' ( Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001), p. 21</ref> When Robert [[:wikt:repudiate|repudiated]] her in 991 Baldwin rebelled.<ref name=Bradbury55/> When they came to terms [[Artois]] and [[Ostrevant]], once taken from Flanders, were returned to Baldwin.{{efn|When [[Arnulf I, Count of Flanders|Arnulf I's]] son, [[Baldwin III, Count of Flanders|Baldwin III]] died in 962 it caused [[:wikt:crisis|crisis]] of succession.<ref name=Uge3>Karine Ugé, ''Creating the Monastic Past in Medieval Flanders'' (Woodbridge; New York: The Boydell Press, 2006), p. 3</ref> Baldwin's son Arnulf II 'the Young' (Baldwin IV's father) was still a child and his succession was uncertain.<ref name=Uge3/> Arnulf I offered the king, [[Lothair of Franc