Gérard II (died 1191), Count of Looz (1171-1191), son of Louis I, Count of Looz, and Agnes of Metz.
Gérard became count in difficult times. His father Louis, who ravaged the territory of Sint-Truiden, was attacked and beaten near Brusthem on July 28, 1171, by the citizens of this city assisted by Gilles, Count of Duras. They then besieging the castle of Loon, killing Count Louis on 11 August. The assault against the fortress was prevented by the arrival of reinforcements of Louis’ son-in-law Godfrey III, Count of Louvain, and a truce was concluded. Gérard and his mother went to emperor Frederick Barbarossa in Aachen to obtain compensation, but the citizenry of Sint-Truiden successfully defended their claim.
Falling ill, he fulfilled a vow to go make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On his return, he found the county in full disorder. His brother Hugo had begun to fortify the village of Brusthem, which had caused strife for many years. Finally in 1175, he granted the inhabitants of Brusthem the laws and freedom enjoyed by the citizens of Liege.
He went to war against Rudolf of Zähringen, Prince-Bishop of Liège. On July 31, 1180, he and his knights routed the episcopal army in Tongeren, plundering and burning the cathedral. In retaliation, Rudolf burned the castle and the town of Loon, as well as the village and the Abbey of Munsterbilzen and the castle at Montenaeken. Several villages and sixteen churches were completely destroyed. Gerard sued for peace through the mediation of Henry the Blind, Count of Luxembourg, and Engelbert I, Count of Berg.
Gérard moved his court to Kuringen, near the Belgian city of Hasselt located in the Flemish Region in the province of Limburg, and in 1182, he founded the Abbey of Herkenrode, entrusted to the Cistercian Order. He built a heptagonal dungeon at Rieneck, inspired dungeon of Loon.
Gérard joined the Third Crusade led by emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Philip Augustus of France and the English King Richard the Lionheart. He was killed on 2 November 1191 at the headquarters of Saint-Jean d'Acre. His body was returned to Loon and buried at Herkenrode, where he rests alongside his wife and children.
In 1135, Gérard married Adelaide of Gelderland, daughter of Henry I, Count of Guelders, and Agnes of Arnstein, daughter of Louis III of Arnstein. Gérard and Adelaide had at least eight children:
Gérard was succeeded as Count of Looz by his son Louis upon his death.