Floris IV, Count of Holland facts for kids

Floris IV was a powerful ruler known as the count of Holland. He was born on June 24, 1210, in The Hague. His father was William I of Holland, and his mother was Adelaide of Guelders. Floris became count when he was just 12 years old, ruling from 1222 until his death in 1234.

Floris IV: A Young Count's Story

Floris IV took over as the count of Holland in 1222. This happened after his father, William I, passed away. Since Floris was still quite young, a trusted helper named Baldwin of Bentheim acted as his regent. A regent is someone who rules for a king or count until they are old enough.

Floris worked to make his lands bigger. He gained control of an area called the Land of Altena. He also had some disagreements with the bishop of Utrecht, named Otto II of Lippe. However, Floris still helped the bishop in a fight against some peasants in Drenthe in 1227.

In 1234, Floris joined a special war called the Stedinger Crusade. This was a religious war fought against a group of people called the Stedinger. They lived north of Bremen.

Sadly, Floris IV's life ended too soon. On July 19, 1234, he was killed during a knight's tournament in Corbie, France. He was laid to rest at Rijnsburg Abbey.

His Family Life

Floris IV had a brother named Otto III van Holland.

Before December 6, 1224, Floris married Matilda. She was the daughter of Duke Henry I of Brabant. Floris and Matilda had five children together:

• William II, Count of Holland (1227–1256): He later became the count of Holland, just like his father. William married Elisabeth of Brunswick-Luneburg. They were the parents of Floris V, Count of Holland.
• Floris de Voogd (around 1228–1258): He served as a regent for Holland from 1256 to 1258.
• Adelaide of Holland (around 1230–1284): She was also a regent for Holland from 1258 to 1263. Adelaide married John I of Avesnes, who was the Count of Hainaut.
• Margaret (died 1277): She married Count Herman I of Henneberg-Coburg.
• Machteld