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Birth:          ABT 1040 
Death:          16 Apr 1106 

Notes
founded the Abbey of Orval in Belgium 1097
opponent of Godfrey de Bouillon
founded Pales Priory 1068
founded Chinon Priory 1097
d a monk of St. Hubert
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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. There were also issues with Henry's successor 
Otbert.

A convenient story is that Arnold regularly confronted Godfrey’s grandson Count 
Godfrey of Bouillon, a leader of the First Crusade and nephew of Countess Mathilda of 
Tuscany, but that they eventually became friends. Because of this newly-found 
friendship, he allegedly entrusted Godfrey with his sons Otto and Louis to take part in 
the crusade. The reality is that this is likely a story concocted by Count Louis V, much 
like the rest of his version of the history of Chiny (see the discussion in the Counts of 
Chiny), to enhance his standing at the Tournament of Chauvency in 1285, which 
included such royalty as Rudolf I, King of Germany.

It is clear that Otto and Louis never actually joined the crusade, as their names are 
not listed among the participants in the Holy quest.[1] The reality of the situation 
appears that Godfrey's army included relatively few of the major nobles of the duchy, 
especially those of comital rank. The nobles of Lower Lotharingia were not all vassals 
of the Duke (and later Defender of the Holy Sepulchre) and felt no obligation to follow 
him, despite the seriousness of the taking of the cross. Notable absentees were 
Arnold, Albert III of Namur and Henry of Arlon and Limburg. These were all part of the 
coalition that had waged war on Godfrey and his principal allies Henry of Verdun and 
his successor Otbert, Prince-Bishops of Liège. There is some uncertainty as to his 
sons' whereabouts during the crusade, but upon their return, Otto, who became the 
next Count of Chiny, found Orval falling in ruins. The Calabrian monks left in 1108, 
and the Cistercians revived Orval with Otto's help.

Apparently unable to abide by normal legal traditions, Arnold attempted to capture 
Richilde, Countess of Hainaut, widow of Baldwin II the Good, Count of Flanders, and 
her son Baldwin II, Count of Hainaut. Like most of his ventures, he failed in this. 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 Benedictine Abbey of Amdain, in the present-day Saint 
Hubert.

He married Adélaïs (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 Saint-Valpurge at Chiny
Halide (Hadvide, Hadwida), married to Dodo of Cons (Dudo of Konz-Saarburg), who 
took the cross and became a Crusader in the army of Godfrey of Bouillon in 1096. He 
was one of two sons of Adelon de Cons.
Clemence, married to Hugel de Waha, Châtelain de Mirwart, who was son of Hériman 
de Duras, who in turn was son of Otto I, Count of Duras, and grandson to Giselbert I, 
Count of Duras.
Beatrix, mother of Arnulf, Archdeacon of Trier.
Unnamed daughter, mother to Arnoul and Conon.

Halide accompanied her husband Dodo on his quest during the First Crusade and 
returned safely, traveling with valuable donations for the monks at St. Hubert-en-
Ardenne. Halide, traveling to the Holy Land with her husband, showed the piety and 
courage that her father and brothers lacked.

Arnold's 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.

Parents
____ Louis II (ABT 1015 - 1066)
OF VERDUN Sophia "Countess of Bricy" (ABT 1015 - 1078)

Siblings
____ Arnold (Arnulf) II (ABT 1040 - 16 Apr 1106)

Marriage To OF RAMERU AND MONTDIDIER Adelais (Adelaide) (Adela) (ABT 1040 - )
    m.  

Notes

Parents
DE MONTDIDIER Hilduin IV (ABT 1013 - 1063)
DE ROUCY Alice (Adela) (ABT 1014 - 1063)

Children by OF RAMERU AND MONTDIDIER Adelais (Adelaide) (Adela) ABT 1040 - 
____ Otto II (ABT 1060 - AFT 1131)

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