The virtually independent county of Hainaut emerged from chaotic conditions at the end of the 9th century as a semi-independent state, at first a vassal of the crown of Lotharingia. The counts of Hainaut have had an historical connection to the counts of Flanders and Holland, to whom they had strong family ties. Throughout its history, the county of Hainaut formed a personal union with other states:

• Hainaut and Flanders: 1067-1071 and 1191-1246
• Hainaut and Holland: 1299-1436
• Hainaut and Bavaria-Straubing: 1356-1407

With the murder of Jacqueline of Hainaut and Holland in 1436, her estates were acquired by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.

Previous rulers of Hainaut

• ...
• Reginald V of Hainaut
• Hermann I of Hainaut

House of Flanders

• Baldwin I (r. 1055-1070), also count of Flanders
• Arnulf I (r. 1070-1071), also count of Flanders
• Baldwin II (r. 1071-1098)
• Baldwin III (r. 1098-1120)
• Baldwin IV (r. 1120-1171)
• Baldwin V (r. 1171-1195), also count of Flanders
• Baldwin VI (r. 1195-1205), also count of Flanders and Byzantine emperor
• Jeanne of Flanders (r. 1205-1244), also countess of Flanders
• Margaret of Flanders (r. 1244-1246), also countess of Flanders; married for the second time to Bouchard, Count of Avesnes

House of Avesnes

• John I (r. 1246-1257), also count of Holland, as well as his descendents
• John II (r. 1257-1304)
• William III (r. 1304-1337)
• William IV (r. 1304-1337)
• Margaret II (r. 1345-1356) married Louis IV Wittelsbach, Holy Roman Emperor and Duke of Bavaria

House of Bavaria

• William V (r. 1356-1388) also Duke of Bavaria-Straubing
• Albrecht I (r. 1388-1407) also Duke of Bavaria-Straubing
• William VI (r. 1407-1417)
• John III (1418-1425), brother of William VI rival of Jacqueline
• Jacqueline (r. 1417-1432)

There was a war of succession between John and Jacqueline. This war was won by Philip of Burgundy, who had inherited John's claims on the duchy. Philip was a nephew of William VI, who had married a daughter of Philip the Bold of Burgundy. In 1432 he forced Jacqueline to abdicate from Hainaut and Holland on his behalf.

See also

• Counts of Flanders family tree
• Counts of Hainaut family tree
• Counts of Holland family tree