Arnold I, Count of Chiny
Arnold I (died April 16, 1106), Count of Chiny, son of Louis II, Count of Chiny, and his wife Sophie. He succeeded his father as count before 1066.
Arnold is best known for his many clashes with the authorities. The only known positive action of his was the founding of the Abbey of Orval with Conrad I, Count of Luxembourg. In addition he began other religious institutions, apparently as atonement for his many crimes.
He had many run-ins with the clergy, particularly with Henry, Bishop of Liège, a relative of Godfrey the Bearded, no doubt due to the murder of his grandfather by Godfrey’s father.
Arnold regularly confronted Godfrey’s grandson Count Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the First Crusade and nephew of Countess Mathilda of Tuscany. They eventually became friends and he entrusted Godfrey with his sons Otto and Louis to take part in the crusade. Returning from the crusade, Otto, who was in turn Count of Chiny, found Orval falling in ruins. The Calabrian monks left in 1108, and the Cistercians revived Orval with Otto's help.
He tried to capture Richilde, Countess of Hainaut, widow of Baldwin II the Good, Count of Flanders, and her son Baldwin II, Count of Hainaut, but failed. In 1082, Richilde and her son went on a pilgrimage to Rome, but on her return in 1084, she learned as she approached Chiny that Arnold was planning to kidnap her. She escaped by taking refuge in Saint Hubert.
He married Adélaïs or Adelaide, daughter of Hilduin IV, Count of Montdidier, Roucy and Ramerupt, and Alix de Roucy. They had six children:
- Otto II, Count of Chiny
- Louis, founder of the priory of Sainte-Valpurge at Chiny
- Hawide, married to Dodon de Cons, son of Adelon de Cons
- Clemence, married to Hugel de Waha, Châtelain de Mirwart, son of Bovo de Duras
- Beatrix, mother of Arnulf, Archdeacon of Trier
- Unnamed daughter, mother to Arnoul and Conon.
His second wife was Ermengarde (d. 1081), a union for which no children are recorded. Arnold and his third wife Agnes had one child:
- Adelbero III of Chiny, Bishop of Verdun (1131-1156)
Upon his death, Arnold’s son Otto assumed the title of Count of Chiny.
References
- Arlette Laret-Kayser, Entre Bar et Luxembourg : Le Comté de Chiny des Origines à 1300, Bruxelles (éditions du Crédit Communal, Collection Histoire, série in-8°, n° 72), 1986
- Medieval Lands Project, Comtes d’Ivois et Chiny
