He was the son of Herbert II, Count of Vermandois and Adela of France, daughter of King Robert I of France.
[1] In 943 after his father died, he succeeded as count of Omois[2] "and received the fortress of Château-Thierry as well as the abbey of Saint-Médard, Soissons."
In 951, in his late years, he was married to Eadgifu of Wessex, daughter of Edward the Elder, King of England, and widow of Charles the Simple, King of West Francia.
[1] He became a loyal follower of King Lothair who made him Count palatine.
[3] After his death, Lothair divided his estates between his nephews, Eudes I, Count of Blois and Herbert III, Count of Meaux.