The Count of Flanders ruled an "immensely wealthy state" that had traditionally led an autonomous existence on the edge of the French state; the French king was generally regarded as having suzerainty over Flanders, but under former monarchs the relationship had become strained.
The Count of Flanders ruled an "immensely wealthy state"; the French king was generally regarded as having suzerainty over Flanders. This Count of Flanders ruled an "immensely wealthy state" had traditionally led an autonomous existence on the edge of the French state. The relationship had become strained. This was under former monarchs.