• Born: 2 Jun 1202, Valenciennes, Hainault, France
• Married (1): Mar 1212
• Married (2): Between 18 Aug 1223 and 15 Nov 1223
• Died: 10 Feb 1279/80
• Buried: Flines-Laes-Mortagne, Nord, France

  Research Notes:

The Genealogica Comitum Flandriĉ Bertiniana names (in order) "Iohannam et Margaretam" as the two daughters of "Balduinus". The Chronica Monasterii Sancti Bertini records that "secunda filia Margareta" was born after her parents left on their travels. On the other hand, according to Villehardouin Comtesse Marie stayed behind when her husband left on Crusade, gave birth, and afterwards left for Acre where she died. After her father's death, she was sent to Paris with her sister on the orders of Philippe II King of France. Matthew of Paris names Bouchard as first husband of Marguerite in his description of the background to the war in Flanders in 1254. Her first marriage was arranged by King Philippe II, her husband being a noble from Hainaut whose family had long supported French interests. Her first husband demanded a share of his late father-in-law's inheritance and, after complaining to Pope Innocent III, the marriage was annulled by the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 on the grounds that Bouchard d'Avesnes had previously taken holy orders. The couple remained together until Bouchard was captured by his sister-in-law Ctss Jeanne in 1219. He was released two years later on condition he separate from his wife. The Iohannis de Thilrode Chronicon records the marriage of "Marghareta" and "Willelmo de Dampetra". Matthew of Paris names Guillaume as second husband of Marguerite in his description of the background to the war in Flanders in 1254.

The Annales Blandinienses record the succession in 1244 of "Margareta soror eius [=Iohanna comitissa]". She succeeded her sister in 1244 as MARGUERITE II Ctss of Flanders and Ctss de Hainaut, both her husbands having died. Her children by her first marriage claimed their inheritance, but Louis IX King of France ruled in 1246 that Hainaut should be given to the Avesnes children and Flanders to the Dampierre children.

She abdicated 29 Dec 1278 in favour of her son Guy de Dampierre.

The Necrologio Sanctĉ Waldetrudis records the death "IV Id Feb" of "Margarete Flandrie et Hanonie…comitisse". ¹