(d. 1168). Grandson of the Flemish Count Robert I the Frisian, and himself count of Flanders from 1128, Thierry became the candidate of the Flemish cities for the countship in 1128 after they renounced their allegiance to William Clito, son of Robert Curthose of Normandy, who was preferred by most Flemish nobles in the succession quarrel after the assassination of Count Charles the Good in 1127. Thierry was recognized throughout Flanders after William died on June 28, 1128. After repairing his relations with the nobles, Thierry in 1134 married Sybilla, daughter of Foulques V, count of Anjou and king of Jerusalem. Evidently in the hope of conquering a principality, Thierry went on crusade four times. Despite his frequent absences, the Flemish administration functioned well. Thierry also fostered economic growth by founding settlements, promoting land clearance, and avoiding foreign conflicts except for his continued effort to extend Flemish influence in the Cambrésis. When he returned to Palestine in 1157, he left Flanders in the care of his fourteen-year-old son and heir, Philippe, whom he installed formally as count, and apparently thought seriously of remaining in the East.
He returned in 1159, went again to Palestine in 1164, and died in 1168, shortly after his return. The prestige of Thierry d’Alsace, owing to his conspicuous piety and international diplomacy, seems to have exceeded his achievement.
de Hemptinne, T. “Vlaanderen en Henegouwen onder de erfgenamen van de Boudewijns, 1070–1244.” In Algemene Geschiedenis der Nederlanden. 2nd ed. Haarlem: Fibula-Van Dishoeck, 1982, Vol. 2, pp. 372–98.
Pirenne, Henri. Histoire de Belgique. Brussels: Lamertin, 1929, Vol. 1.
Verhulst, Aadrian, and T.de Hemptinne. “Le chancelier de Flandre sous les comtes de la maison d’Alsace.” Bulletin de la Commission Royale d’Histoire 141(1975):267–311.
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