Baldwin of Lannoy


Baldwin van Lannoy, Lord of Molembais, nicknamed "Le Bègue", was a Flemish statesman, and ambassador for Philip the Good at the court of Henry V of England. He is considered the founder of the Lords of Molenbais branch of the de Lannoy family.

Early life

He was born in 1388 in Hénin-Beaumont into the noble de Lannoy family. He was a son of Guilbert I of Lannoy, Lord of Santes, and Catherine de Saint-Aubin, Lady of Molembais. Among his elder brothers were Guillebert II de Lannoy and Hugo de Lannoy, both diplomats.

Career

During his career, the Lord of Molembais was named Governor of Lille.
In 1429, he was one of the twenty Founder Knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece, his official number being 19. When Baldwin became Knight, he commissioned a portrait to be painted by Jan van Eyck.

Personal life

He married twice; first to Marie, Lady of Melles and secondly to Adrienne de Berlaymont, a daughter of Jacques de Berlaymont and Catherine de Robersart. Together, they were the parents of four children:
Lannoy died in 1474 in Huppaye.

Descendants

Through his eldest son Baudouin, he was a grandfather of Philippe I de Lannoy, Lord of Molembais, the Grand Huntsman of Brabant who married Madeleine of Bourgundy ; Françoise de Lannoy, who married Antoine of Montmorency; Madeleine de Lannoy, who married Jean de Roisinand; and Jacqueline de Lannoy, who married Claude Bouton, Lord of Corbaron.