# Robert II

> Count of Flanders (1065-1111)

**Wikidata**: [Q333306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_II,_Count_of_Flanders)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-ii

## Summary
Robert II, Count of Flanders (1065–1111), was a feudal ruler and military leader who governed the County of Flanders, a historic territory in the Low Countries. He is best known for his participation in the First Crusade (1096–1099), which secured Christian control of the Holy Land, and for maintaining Flanders' political stability under feudal obligations.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 1065  
- **Nationality**: Flemish  
- **Known for**: Feudatory rule of Flanders and military leadership in the First Crusade  
- **Employer(s)**: County of Flanders (hereditary ruler)  
- **Field(s)**: Feudal nobility, military leadership  

## Contributions
- **First Crusade Participation (1096–1099)**: Led Flemish forces during the Christian conquest of the Holy Land, contributing to the capture of Jerusalem in 1099.  
- **Feudal Governance**: Served as a vassal to feudal overlords while maintaining autonomy for Flanders, ensuring the county's prominence in medieval European politics.  

## FAQs
- **What was Robert II's role in the First Crusade?**  
  He commanded Flemish troops during the campaign, playing a key role in battles that expanded Christian territories in the Levant.  
- **What titles did he hold?**  
  He was styled "Count of Flanders" and known by the alias "Roberto II el Hierosolimitano" (Robert II the Jerusalemite) due to his crusading activities.  
- **When did he rule Flanders?**  
  His reign spanned from 1065 until his death in 1111, though exact dates of his governance overlap with feudal obligations to regional overlords.  

## Why They Matter
Robert II's leadership in the First Crusade bolstered Flanders' reputation as a formidable military and political entity in medieval Europe. His dual role as a feudal vassal and independent ruler helped shape the complex web of alliances that defined feudalism. Without his participation, the crusade's success—and Flanders' subsequent influence in trade and diplomacy—might have been diminished.

## Notable For
- Participation in the First Crusade (1096–1099).  
- Long reign as Count of Flanders (1065–1111).  
- Alias "Roberto II el Hierosolimitano," reflecting his crusading legacy.  
- Governance as a feudatory under medieval feudal structures.  

## Body
### Early Life and Reign  
Robert II was born on January 1, 1065, into the ruling comital family of Flanders, a strategically vital region in the Low Countries. He inherited the title of Count in 1065, though the exact circumstances of his ascension are not detailed in surviving records. As a feudatory, he balanced obligations to feudal overlords with the need to assert Flanders' independence, navigating the intricate hierarchies of medieval governance.

### Military Leadership  
His most significant historical contribution was leading Flemish forces during the **First Crusade (1096–1099)**, a pivotal conflict that reshaped Christian-Muslim relations in the Near East. Robert II's troops were instrumental in key battles, including the Siege of Jerusalem (1099), which culminated in the establishment of Crusader states. His involvement earned him the epithet "el Hierosolimitano" (the Jerusalemite), immortalized in Spanish historiography.

### Feudal Governance  
As Count, Robert II maintained Flanders' prosperity through strategic alliances and military campaigns. The county flourished under his rule as a hub of trade and textile production, leveraging its position at the crossroads of Northern Europe. His reign exemplified the feudal system's blend of autonomy and vassalage, as documented in medieval records such as the *Europäische Stammtafeln* (European Pedigrees).

### Legacy and Identifiers  
Robert II's life is cataloged in numerous historical repositories, including the *Biografías y Vidas* database and the *CNP* (German National Library) under identifier `cnp01206161`. Visual records, such as the *Robert de Flandre croisé.jpg* portrait, depict his association with crusading symbolism. His rule is further documented in genealogical references like *p4050.htm#i40496*, underscoring his lineage's importance in Flemish succession.

### Death and Historical Context  
He died on October 5, 1111 (or January 1, 1111, per conflicting sources), marking the end of a 46-year reign that spanned critical junctures in medieval history. His death coincided with the consolidation of Crusader states, ensuring Flanders' continued influence in both European and Levantine affairs. The ambiguity in his death date reflects the inconsistent record-keeping of the era, a common challenge in medieval historiography.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/r/roberto_ii_el_hierosolimitano.htm)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. CERL Thesaurus
7. HMML Authority File