Ada, Countess of Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ada of Holland |
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Marriage of Ada and Louis II (15th century)
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| Count of Holland | |
| Reign | 1203 – 1207 jointly with Louis II of Loon |
| Predecessor | Dirk VII |
| Successor | William I |
| Born | c. 1188 |
| Died | 1234/37 |
| Spouse |
Louis II, Count of Loon
(m. 1203; |
| Father | Dirk VII, Count of Holland |
| Mother | Adelaide of Cleves |
Ada was a powerful woman who lived a long time ago, from about 1188 to 1234 or 1237. She was the Countess of Holland between 1203 and 1207. She ruled Holland together with her husband, Louis II of Loon. Sadly, her uncle, William I, took her place and sent her away from Holland.
Contents
The Story of Countess Ada
Ada's Early Life
Ada was the only daughter of Dirk VII, Count of Holland and his wife, Adelaide of Cleves. Her father was the Count of Holland before her.
When her father passed away, Ada became the Countess. But her uncle, William, also wanted to rule Holland. To make her position stronger, Ada quickly married Louis II. He was the Count of Loon. She married him very soon after her father's death. This caused a bit of a stir at the time.
These events led to a big fight known as the Loon War. This war lasted from 1203 to 1206.
Her Time as Countess
Ada was quickly captured by William's supporters. They took her prisoner in the strong Leiden Castle.
First, she was held on an island called Texel. After that, she was sent to King John Lackland in England.
In 1206, William had to agree to a peace treaty in Bruges. This treaty said that Louis and Ada were the rightful Count and Countess. Louis managed to free Ada in 1206. The couple then went back to Loon in 1207.
Their time ruling Holland was short. In 1208, the Emperor Otto IV decided that William had a stronger claim to be the Count of Holland.
Later Years and Legacy
Ada did not give up easily. She and Louis kept fighting for their right to Holland. Ada never had any children. Louis passed away in 1218. After that, Ada lived a quiet life. She was buried next to her husband in Herkenrode Abbey.
The fight for Holland became part of a bigger international war. This war was between France and the Hohenstaufen family on one side. On the other side were England and the Welfs. William was able to become Count of Holland by cleverly moving between these two powerful groups. Louis and Ada had to give up their claims to Holland.
Many history books written before the Protestant Reformation do not list Ada as a ruler of Holland.
See also
In Spanish: Ada de Holanda para niños
