The hereditary castellan of Saint-Omer, holding the castle office of the great town on the Aa and his own lordships of Fauquembergues and Beaurain to the south.
His town changed hands in 1198, when Baldwin took it from the king's men.
Who he is
- Name
- William V of Saint-Omer
- Title
- Castellan of Saint-Omer, lord of Fauquembergues and Beaurain
- Since
- 1191, on the death of his father William IV in the Holy Land (succession taken as immediate; not pinned by a charter here)
- Born
- About 1170-1171, so about 29
- Family
- Son of William IV and Ida of Avesnes (aunt of Walter II of Avesnes; she is still living). Brothers include Walter (died 1219 on crusade), James and William (VI), later castellan. Kin to the Saint-Omer lords of Tiberias and Galilee in the East.
- Confidence
- medium
English Wikipedia (William IV of Saint Omer; William of Saint-Omer).
Overlord
From 1191 to 1198 the king's Artois for Prince Louis; since 1198 the count of Flanders by conquest, confirmed at Peronne.
What it holds
- The castellany office of Saint-Omer
- Fauquembergues (castle and lordship)
- Beaurain (thin)
How it was acquired
Inheritance.
Allies and rivals
His Avesnes kin; the abbey of Saint-Bertin; the échevins of Saint-Omer.
How things stand that morning
Holds his office under the count since 1198; Fauquembergues lies south of the town, close to the king's Artois.
Wealth
Fiefs, dues, Fauquembergues.
Military
Castle of Fauquembergues.
Threats
- Divided homage between the king's Artois and Flanders
Places of note
- Fauquembergues: Own castle
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Family well studied (Giry); his side in 1198 not pinned.
On the map: His office at Saint-Omer is drawn under the count.
Primary sources for Flanders
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Alberic of Trois-Fontaines, Alberic of Trois-Fontaines (about 1227 to 1241, at the Cistercian abbey of Trois-Fontaines in Champagne). The widest net of any Latin chronicle for 1200, compiled from dozens of sources, many now lost. Read online
- Chronicle of Andres, William of Andres (about 1220 to 1234). The chronicle and cartulary of a small abbey between Guines and Ardres, near the border of Flanders and Boulogne. Read online
- Chronicle of Hainaut, Gislebert of Mons (about 1195 to 1196). Ends in 1195, so it has no 1200 entries, but it is the indispensable background for Flanders and Hainaut: the career of Count Baldwin V of Hainaut (VIII of Flanders), his union of the two counties, the settlement with Philip over Artois, the rights, castles, fiefs and vassals of Hainaut listed by a man who ran its chancery, and the youth of Baldwin IX, who held both counties in 1200. Read online
- Chronicle of Robert of Auxerre, Robert of Auxerre (Robert of Saint-Marien) (about 1190 to 1211; continued at Saint-Marien to 1227). A universal chronicle whose last twenty years are contemporary and well informed from Burgundy and the Auxerrois. Read online
- Universal Chronicle of the Anonymous of Laon, Anonymous (an English-born canon of Laon) (about 1219). A Picard chronicle whose author had lived in England and keeps an eye on both kingdoms. Read online
- Annals of Egmond (12th century to about 1205). The house annals of Egmond, the counts of Holland's abbey, and the main native source for Holland around 1200. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Deeds of Philip Augustus, Rigord (about 1186 to 1206, in stages). The French court's own chronicle for the year, from the monk of Saint-Denis who called himself the king's chronographer. Read online
8 more in the sources library for France and Iberia.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.