Quick Facts
Biography
Gillis Berthout (1175/80–1241), was a nobleman who fought on the Fifth Crusade, a chamberlain of the County of Flanders, and a Teutonic Knight. He was the founder of Roosendael Abbey.
Life
Gillis was the son of Walter IV Berthout and Goda of Loon, daughter of Louis I, Count of Loon. The Berthout family held lands in Grimbergen and in the Campine, but as a younger son he did not stand to inherit. Around 1205 he married the Flemish noble widow Catherina of Bailleul, daughter of Gerard, viscount of Oudenburg. They had two sons, Gillis and Louis, and at least two daughters, Elizabeth and Oda. In 1227 he founded Roosendael Abbey for his daughters. On behalf of his wife and step-children, Gillis from 1206 held the chamberlaincy of Flanders and lordships of Leffinge, Lichtervelde, and Oudenburg.
From 1207 he served the interests of John, King of England, receiving regular payments from him and attending upon his court. He may have fought in the battle of Bouvines. In 1219 he joined the Fifth Crusade and took part in the Siege of Damietta. He was back in Flanders in 1221, and in 1229 joined the Teutonic Order and turned over his step-children's patrimony to them.