Arnulf I the Elder of Flanders ¹

   Other names for Arnulf were Arnoul le Grand, Arnoul le Vieux, Arnulf de Grote, Arnulf de Oude and Arnulf the Great.

  General Notes:

On his father's death in 918, the inherited lands were divided between Arnulf and his brother Adolf, but the latter survived only a short time, and Arnulf succeeded to the whole inheritance. His reign was filled with warfare against the Norsemen, and he took an active part in the struggles in Lorraine between the emperor Otto I and Hugh Capet.

In 958 Arnulf placed the government in the hands of his son Baldwin (Baldwin III), and the young man, though his reign was a very short one, did a great deal for the commercial and industrial progress of the country, establishing the first weavers and fullers at Ghent and instituting yearly fairs at Ypres, Bruges, and other places. On Baldwin III's death in 962 the old count, Arnulf I, resumed control and spent the few remaining years of his life in securing the succession of his grandson Arnulf II the Younger (reigned 965-988).

  Noted events in his life were:

• He was employed from 00 0918 to 0058. Count of Flanders

• He was employed from 00 0962 to 0065. Count of Flanders

Arnulf married Adele of Vermandois, daughter of Herbert II of Vermandois and Luitgard of Paris, in 934. (Adele of Vermandois was born circa 910-915 and died between 958 and 960.)

  Marriage Notes:

Their children were:
- Baldwin III of Flanders;
- Luitgard, married Wichmann, Count of Ghent;
- Egbert, died 953;
- Elftrude, married Siegfried, Count of Guines.

Arnulf's eldest son and heir Baldwin III of Flanders died in 962, so Arnulf was succeeded by Baldwin's infant son, Arnulf II of Flanders. ²