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Thierry of Alsace

Type Figure Region County of Flanders Time c. 1099–1168 Also known as Thierry II, Count of Flanders

Count of Flanders (c. 1099–1168, r. 1128–1168), from the dukes of Upper Lorraine, famed for four pilgrimages to the Holy Land and participation in th…

Timeline

  1. c. 1099–1128Alsace · AlsaceThierry was born into the family of Thierry II, Duke of Upper Lorraine, his mother being Frederick of Comté. In his youth he pressed a claim to Flanders and, after William Clito's death in battle in 1128, secured the countship of Flanders.
  2. 1128–1147Bruges · County of FlandersIn 1128 Thierry inherited the countship of Flanders and began a forty-year reign. He encouraged urban trade and crafts, and the Flemish wool industry continued to flourish under him. He also made his first pilgrimage to the Holy Land, strengthening ties with the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
  3. 1147–1149Jerusalem · Kingdom of JerusalemIn 1147 Thierry joined King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III on the Second Crusade. The allied siege of Damascus failed in 1148, and Thierry returned to Europe. He made four pilgrimages to the Holy Land in all, making him one of the most devout Western princes of the 12th century.
  4. 1149–1168Gravelines · County of FlandersAfter the Second Crusade Thierry returned to Flanders to continue ruling and made another pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In his later years he passed the countship to his eldest son Philip (Philip of Alsace) and died in 1168, ending a reign of forty years.

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