Background
Born c. 1055, Arnulf was the eldest son of Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders and Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut.
Born c. 1055, Arnulf was the eldest son of Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders and Richilde, Countess of Mons and Hainaut.
Richilde, Arnulf"s mother, the dowager Countess of Flanders and de jure Countess of Hainaut, was to be regent in Flanders until Arnulf came of age. Richilde appealed to King Philip I of France, who summoned Robert to appear before him. Robert refused and continued his aggression against Richilde and Arnulf, at which point Philip amassed an army which he brought to Flanders.
The French army was accompanied by Norman troops, probably sent by Arnulf"s aunt Queen Matilda and led by William FitzOsborn.
Also allied to Arnulf III was Eustace II, Count of Boulogne who raised considerable support for the young count and his mother. The two forces met at the Battle of Cassel on 22 February 1071.
In that engagement Robert"s forces were ultimately victorious but Robert himself was captured and his forces in turn captured the Countess Richilde. Both were freed in exchange and the battle continued to its conclusion.
Among the dead was Arnulf, killed by Gerbod the Fleming, 1st Earl of Chester, possibly by accident.
As a result of the battle Robert claimed the countship of Flanders.