Arnulf was the son of count Baldwin II of Flanders. He was named after his distant ancestor, Saint Arnulf of Metz; this was intended to emphasize his family's descent from the Carolingian royal house.
Arnulf greatly expanded Flemish rule to the south, taking all or part of Artois, Ponthieu, Amiens, and Ostravent. Here exploited the conflicts between Charles the Simple and Robert I of France, and later those between Louis IV and his barons.
In his southern expansion Arnulf inevititably had conflict with the Normans, who were trying to secure their northern frontier. This lead to the 942 murder of Duke William Longsword of Normandy at the hands of Arnulf's men.
The Viking threat was receeding during the later years of Arnulf's life, and he turned his attentions to reform of the Flemish government.
He married Adela of Vermandois.
Arnulf's eldest son and heir Baldwin III died in 962, so Arnulf was succeeded by Baldwin's infant son, Arnulf II of Flanders.
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Preceded by: Baldwin II | Count of Flanders |
Succeeded by: Arnulf II |