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Birth:          ABT 1182 of Oizy, Namur, Belgium
Death:          1244 Etraeungt, Nord, France
Burial:         Abbey, Clairefontaine, Autelbas, Luxembourg

Notes
Canon of St. Poerre de Lille, Archdeacon of Laon, held the Doctor Juris degree, at 
first a cleric but returned to lay world in 1205, knighted in 1239
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouchard_IV_of_Avesnes
Burchard IV or Bouchard IV (1182–1244) was the lord of Avesnes and Étrœungt. He 
was the son of James of Avesnes and Adela of Guise and brother of Walter, Count of 
Blois.[1]

Bouchard began his career as a cantor and subdeacon in the church of Laon. In 
1212, he was named bailiff of Hainaut. In this capacity, he served as tutor and 
guardian of the young Margaret, sister of Joanna, Countess of Flanders and Hainault. 
He later married Margaret in 1212,[2][3] though she was only ten years old and the 
marriage could not be consummated. Neither Joanna nor Count Ferdinand gave their 
consent, and tried to have the marriage stopped, they failed.[3]

Bouchard lived a war-like life. He invaded the territory of his brother Walter, who had 
received most of their patrimony. He then invaded Flanders and forced Joanna and 
Ferdinand to recognise his marriage to Margaret. He then fought at the Battle of 
Bouvines in 1214, under the (losing) Flemish banner. Philip Augustus, the king of 
France and victor of Bouvines, then counselled the pope, Innocent III, to declare the 
marriage of Bouchard and Margaret illegal. Innocent eventually excommunicated 
Bouchard on 19 January 1216.[3] They took refuge in Luxembourg. In 1219, Bouchard 
was captured in battle and would be imprisoned in Ghent for two years.[3] To obtain 
his release, Margaret accepted the dissolution of the marriage and Bouchard left for 
Italy to fight for the Holy See. Upon his return, he was decapitated at Rupelmonde on 
the orders of Joanna.

Bouchard and Margaret had three children, who played an important part in the War of 
the Succession of Flanders and Hainault:
Baldwin (1217–1219), took refuge with his parents in Luxembourg
John I (1218–1257), later Count of Hainault
Baldwin (1219–1295), Lord of Beaumont

Parents
D'AVESNES Jacques (James) (ABT 1155 - 7 Sep 1191)
DE GUISE Adele (Adelphie) (ABT 1159 - )

Siblings
D'AVESNES Bouchard (ABT 1182 - 1244)

Marriage To ____ Margaret (Marguerite) (2 Jun 1202 - 10 Feb 1280)
    m. BEF 23 Jul 1212 

Notes

Parents
____ Baldwin IX (VI) (Jul 1172 - 11 Jun 1205)
DE CHAMPAGNE Marie (ABT 1174 - 9 Aug 1204)

Children by ____ Margaret (Marguerite) 2 Jun 1202 - 10 Feb 1280
D'AVESNES Jean I (John I) (1 May 1218 - 24 Dec 1257)

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