Bouchard IV of Avesnes

Bouchard IV of Avesnes (1182–1244), son of James of Avesnes, began his career as a cantor and subdeacon at Laon. He became bailiff of Hainaut in 1212 and married his ward Margaret, the ten-year-old daughter of Baldwin VI of Hainaut, without her family's consent. He fought for Flanders at Bouvines in 1214, and Pope Innocent III declared the marriage unlawful and excommunicated him in 1216.

Bouchard and Margaret took refuge in Luxembourg. Captured in 1219 and held at Ghent for two years, he was freed after Margaret accepted the dissolution. He was finally beheaded at Rupelmonde on Countess Joanna's orders.