Walter II of Avesnes

He was the son of James of Avesnes, and Adèle, lady of Guise.[1] Walter fought alongside Count Ferdinand of Flanders at the Battle of Bouvines in 1214,[2] then left to fight in the Holy Land.Taken prisoner, he was ransomed by the Knights Templar and helped construct the Pilgrim Castle, in 1218,[3] donating 1,000 Saracen bezants towards its construction.[4] With the income from Guise lands, he began work on modernizing his castles.He also built a castle Englancourt to control the road through the county of Hainaut.
AvesnesMargaret of Bloiscount of BloisChartresJames of AvesnesFerdinand of FlandersBattle of BouvinesPilgrim CastleSaracen bezantsEnglancourtcounty of HainautMargaret, Countess of BloisAlix of FranceMary, Countess of BloisHugh I, Count of Blois