Baldwin was the son of Count
Baldwin IV of Hainaut. In the winter of 1182 or 1183, the count of Namur-Luxembourg was seriously ill and completely blind, whereupon Baldwin immediately visited him in Luxembourg. There he was reconfirmed as heir by his uncle and was able to receive the homage of several vassals from him. The succession was confirmed by Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa on 22 May 1184 at the
Diet of Pentecost in Mainz, on which Baldwin acted as imperial sword bearer. Baldwin acquired Flanders with his marriage to his
widowed third cousin once removed
Margaret I of Flanders in 1169. Namur was acquired from his mother
Alice of Namur. He was described as "The Count Baldwin with eyes of blue." Baldwin was buried at the monastery of Saint Waudru before the altar of Blessed James the apostle. ==Family==