Charles the Good

Biography

Born in Denmark around 1081; died in Bruges “Belgium” on March 2, 1127. The story of the peasant woman and her cow shows how he knew how to reconcile love for the humble and the demands of piety. One Sunday, the count was attending the Vespers of St. Peter in Ghent, when a poor woman came to him to tell him that a corporal wanted to take his cow. "I will take care of the matter as soon as the mass is over," Carlos replied. "But this is in a hurry, sire." «Here, this is my cape. You will return it to me when I have returned your cow to you. And now, go wait for me at the back of the church. The peasant woman obeyed, reassured by the realization that that gold-lined cloak was worth many cows. At the end of the mass, the count ordered his soldiers to look for the thief. They jumped on horseback after him, found him pulling the animal with difficulty and caught him. Thus, Carlos was able to instantly recover his cape. Charles the Good took part in the first crusade. He reigned for eight years in Flanders, Picardy and Artois. He was murdered while attending the mass of Saint Donatian in Bruges. His murderer was a nobleman who had been called out for living outside the law.