aldwin IX, Count of Flanders, was born in what is now the country of Belgium. He Joined the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204), the purpose of which was to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim control but ended in the sacking of Constantinople. Previous crusades had been led by kings, but this crusade was conducted by the feudal lords, mainly from France. An agreement was made between the crusaders and Enrico Dandolo, the Doge of Venice to supply a fleet of ships to transport the army to the Holy Land. When more ships were built than were originally required, and the cost of the construction could not be met, the Doge saught to change the agreement and use the crusaders for his own political gains. The crusaders were required to attack the city of Zadar, previous known as Zara, now located on the coast of Croatia, which had renounced its allegiance to Venice. The crusaders cut the chains guarding the harbour and landed horses and siege engines and laid siege to the city. The city surrendered in under a week. After the conquest of Constantinople, Baldwin was chosen as the first emperor of the newly established Latin Empire. Baldwin's rule was weak and depended heavily on Crusader forces. In April of 1205 the Bulgarians under the leadershop of Tsar Kaloyan attacked the Crusaders and Baldwin at the battle of Adrianople. Baldwin was captured after which his fate is not known. His brother Henry of Flanders became the second Latin Emperor.

 Baldwin (I, Latin Emperor of Constantinople) (b.1172 - d.1205?)