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She was the eldest daughter of Baldwin IX of Flanders, who was also (as Baldwin VI) count of Hainaut. Her mother was Marie of Champagne.

In 1202 Baldwin left on the Fourth Crusade, and Marie left to join him two years later, leaving Jeanne and her baby sister in the care of their uncle Philip of Namur.

Jeanne's mother died in 1205, and her father died the next year, leaving her a five-year-old orphan under the guardianship of Philip of Namur. He continued as regent as well, ruling in her name rather than her father's. Philip soon put his nieces in a difficult position. He became betrothed to a daughter of King Philip Augustus of France, and give the king custody of the two girls. Philip Augustus in turn agreed to sell their custody to Enguerrand de Coucy , who probably planned to marry Jeanne when she came of age. But these plans fell through, and in the end she married Ferrand of Portugal in Paris in January 1212. He was the nephew of Jeanne's great-aunt-by-marriage Matilda of Portugal .

While on their way to Flanders the newlyweds were captured by Jeanne's first cousin Louis (the future Louis VIII of FranceLouis VIII ("The Lion") ( September 5, 1187 November 8, 1226) reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the Capetian dynasty. Louis was born in Paris, France, the son of King Philippe II Auguste and Isabelle of Hainaut. As a prince,), eldest son of Philip Augustus and Jeanne's aunt Elizabeth of Flanders. Louis' aim was to acquire his dead mother's dowry, a large piece of Flemish territory including ArtoisArtois is also a city in California, USA. See Artois, California. Artois is a former province of northern France. Its territory has an area of around 4000 km² and a population of about a million. Its principal cities are Arras, Saint-Omer, Lens and Bethun, which Jeanne's father had taken back by force after Elizabeth's death.

Released after this concession, Jeanne and Ferrand soon joined the old allies of her father, king John of EnglandJohn ( French: Jean ( December 24, 1166/ 67 October 18/ 19, 1216) reigned as King of England from 1199 to 1216. He succeeded to the throne as the younger brother of King Richard I (known as "Richard the Lionheart"). John acquired the nicknames of "Lacklan and Emperor Otto IVOtto IV of Brunswick was King of Germany ( 1208- 1215) and Holy Roman Emperor from 1209 1215. He was the son of Henry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria and Saxony and Matilda Plantagenet, and was elected king when his rival for the throne, Philip of Swabia ( Hohe, in an alliance against France. They were decisively defeated at BouvinesThe Battle of Bouvines July 27, 1214, was the first great international conflict of alliances among national forces in Europe. In the alliances, which were orchestrated by Pope Innocent III, Philip Augustus of France defeated Otto IV of Germany and count in July 1214Events Simon Apulia becomes Bishop of Exeter. July 27 Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Foundation of the German city of Bielefeld Births Deaths October 5 Alfonso VIII of Castile December 4 William I of Scotland,, where Ferrand was taken prisoner.

Ferrand was to remain in French hands for the next 12 years, while Jeanne ruled alone. During this period Jeanne ended up at odds with her younger sister MargaretMargaret II of Flanders ( 1202- 1278) was countess of Flanders from 1244 to 1278 and countess of Hainaut from 1244 to 1246. She was the younger daughter of Baldwin I of Constantinople, who was also count of Flanders and Hainaut, and Marie of Champagne. over the latter's inheritance, a matter complicated by questionable validity of both of Margaret's marriages. A war between the sisters broke out, which only added to difficulties caused by famine.

In 1225Events Births Thomas Aquinas, Christian philosopher and theologian. Deaths Monarchs/Presidents Aragon James I King of Aragon and count of Barcelona (reigned from 1213 to 1276) Castile Ferdinand III, the Saint King of Castile and Leon (reigned from 1217 to a man appeared who claimed to be Jeanne's father Baldwin, returned after 20 years. He soon became the focus of a popular revolt, which Jeanne only put down with aid from Louis VIII.