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Philip I (1143 – 1 August 1191), commonly known as Philip of Alsace, was count of Flanders from 1168 to 1191. During his rule Flanders prospered economically. He took part in two crusades and died of disease in the Holy Land .

Philip was the son of Count Thierry of Flanders and Sibylla of Anjou . His reign began in 1157, while he acted as regent and co-count for his father, who had returned to the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1156 after participating the Second Crusade . He defeated Count Floris III of Holland , who was captured in Bruges and remained in prison until 1167, at which point he was being ransomed in exchange for recognition of Flemish suzerainty over Zeeland . By inheritance, Philip also recovered for Flanders the territories of Waasland and Quatre-Métiers.
In 1159, Philip married Elisabeth , elder daughter of count Ralph I of Vermandois and Petronilla of Aquitaine . Upon the abdication of his brother-in-law Ralph II in 1167, Elisabeth and Philip inherited the County of Vermandois. This pushed Flemish authority further south, to its greatest extent thus far, and threatened to completely alter the balance of power in northern France.
Philip governed wisely with the aid of Robert d'Aire, whose role was almost that of a prime minister. They established an effective administrative system and Philip's foreign relations were excellent. He mediated in disputes between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England , between Henry II and Thomas Becket , and arranged the marriage of his sister Margaret with Count Baldwin V of Hainaut .
Philip and Elisabeth were childless. In 1175, Philip discovered that Elisabeth was committing adultery and had her lover, Walter de Fontaines, beaten to death. Philip then obtained complete control of her lands in Vermandois from King Louis VII of France . Philip's brothers Matthew and Peter of Alsace also died, so in 1177, before going on crusade, he designated Margaret and Baldwin as his heirs.

Description
Philip I (1143 – 1 August 1191), commonly known as Philip of Alsace, was count of Flanders from 1168 to 1191. During his rule Flanders prospered economically. He took part in two crusades and died of disease in the Holy Land .

Philip was the son of Count Thierry of Flanders and Sibylla of Anjou . His reign began in 1157, while he acted as regent and co-count for his father, who had returned to the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1156 after participating the Second Crusade . He defeated Count Floris III of Holland , who was captured in Bruges and remained in prison until 1167, at which point he was being ransomed in exchange for recognition of Flemish suzerainty over Zeeland . By inheritance, Philip also recovered for Flanders the territories of Waasland and Quatre-Métiers.
In 1159, Philip married Elisabeth , elder daughter of count Ralph I of Vermandois and Petronilla of Aquitaine . Upon the abdication of his brother-in-law Ralph II in 1167, Elisabeth and Philip inherited the County of Vermandois. This pushed Flemish authority further south, to its greatest extent thus far, and threatened to completely alter the balance of power in northern France.
Philip governed wisely with the aid of Robert d'Aire, whose role was almost that of a prime minister. They established an effective administrative system and Philip's foreign relations were excellent. He mediated in disputes between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England , between Henry II and Thomas Becket , and arranged the marriage of his sister Margaret with Count Baldwin V of Hainaut .
Philip and Elisabeth were childless. In 1175, Philip discovered that Elisabeth was committing adultery and had her lover, Walter de Fontaines, beaten to death. Philip then obtained complete control of her lands in Vermandois from King Louis VII of France . Philip's brothers Matthew and Peter of Alsace also died, so in 1177, before going on crusade, he designated Margaret and Baldwin as his heirs.