Floris V, Count of Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Floris V
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Effigy of Floris V on his seal
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| Count of Holland and Zeeland | |
| Reign | 1256–1296 |
| Predecessor | William II |
| Successor | John I |
| Born | 24 June 1254 Leiden |
| Died | 27 June 1296 (aged 42) Muiderberg |
| Buried | Rijnsburg Abbey |
| Noble family | House of Holland |
| Spouse(s) | Beatrice of Flanders |
| Issue more... |
John I, Count of Holland Witte van Haemstede Catherina van Holland |
| Father | William II, Count of Holland |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg |
Floris V (born June 24, 1254 – died June 27, 1296) was a powerful ruler. He was the Count of Holland and Zeeland from 1256 until 1296. His life story was written down in detail by his chronicler, Melis Stoke.
Floris V is remembered for making Holland a better place to live. He helped trade, supported farmers, and even reclaimed land from the sea. He often sided with the common people over the nobles. His dramatic murder made him a hero in Holland.
Contents
Early Life and Guardianship
Floris was the son of Count William II and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg. When Floris was only two years old, his father was killed by the Frisians in 1256.
Because Floris was so young, others had to rule for him. First, his uncle, Floris de Voogd, was his guardian from 1256 to 1258. Then, his aunt, Adelaide of Holland, took over from 1258 to 1263. There was a fight over who would rule Holland. After a battle in 1263, Count Otto II of Guelders became Floris's guardian.
Otto II looked after Floris V until Floris turned twelve in 1266. At that age, he was considered old enough to rule Holland by himself. Floris's mother, Elisabeth, stayed in Holland and passed away in 1266, the same year Floris began his rule.
Becoming a Ruler
Floris had the support of the Count of Hainaut. This count was a big rival of the Count of Flanders. However, Floris married Beatrix of Dampierre, the daughter of Guy of Dampierre, the Count of Flanders, in 1269. This marriage was a way to make peace between the families.
In 1272, Floris tried to get his father's body back from the Frisians, but he didn't succeed. In 1274, he faced a rebellion from powerful lords. These lords, like Gijsbrecht IV of Amstel, controlled lands near the Utrecht area. They were supported by craftsmen and farmers.
Floris helped the weak bishop of Utrecht. He made a deal with the craftsmen and eventually took control of the rebellious lords' lands in 1279. He also gave more rights to the farmers in Kennemerland, who had fewer rights than others. Floris then changed his alliances, moving away from the Hainaut family and closer to the Flanders family.
Important Decisions and Battles
In 1282, Floris attacked the Frisians again. He won a battle and finally got his father's body back. After more fighting in 1287–1288, he completely defeated the Frisians.
Around this time, Floris also gained control of Zeeland-bewester-Schelde. This area was important because it controlled access to the Scheldt river. However, the local nobles in Zeeland sided with the Count of Flanders, who invaded in 1290. Floris met with Count Guy of Flanders, but he was captured and forced to give up his claims before being set free.
Floris wanted to go back to war right away. But King Edward I of England convinced him to stop fighting Flanders. Edward I needed access to the rivers for English goods like wool. In 1292, Floris even claimed the throne of Scotland. He hoped Edward I would support him, but he didn't get the help he expected. Still, England did support Floris in a new, more successful war against Flanders.
His Capture and Death
King Edward I of England later moved his wool trade from Holland to Brabant. He did this to get Flanders's support against France. Because of this, Floris changed his alliance to France in 1296.
Edward I then stopped all English trade with Holland. He also secretly planned with Guy of Flanders to have Floris kidnapped. The lords Gijsbrecht IV of Amstel and Herman of Woerden, who had rebelled against Floris before, were part of this plan. Along with Gerard van Velsen, they captured Floris during a hunting trip. They took him to Muiderslot castle.
News of Floris's capture spread quickly. Four days later, the lords and their captive left the castle, trying to find a safer place. But they were stopped by an angry crowd of local farmers. In a panic, Gerard of Velzen killed Floris. The lords then fled. Gerard of Velzen was later caught and killed. The other people involved in the plot escaped to other countries.
What People Remembered
The life and death of Floris V inspired many stories, plays, and books in the Netherlands. A famous play is Gijsbrecht van Aemstel by Joost van den Vondel. It tells the story of Amsterdam after Floris V's death.
Floris V was sometimes called "God of the Peasants" by the nobles. They meant it as an insult. But Floris was remembered as a hero by the farmers of Holland. He even knighted 40 farmers, which angered the church and other nobles. Later, during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648), Floris became a symbol of freedom for the Dutch people.
His Family
Floris V was the son of Count William II of Holland and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Around 1271, Floris married Beatrice of Flanders. She was the daughter of Guy de Dampierre, the Count of Flanders.
Floris and Beatrice had several children, including:
- John I, Count of Holland: He married Elizabeth, who was the daughter of King Edward I of England. They did not have any children.
- Margaret: She was engaged to Alphonso, the son of King Edward I of England, but he died young.
Floris also had some children outside of his marriage, including:
- Witte van Haemstede (around 1281-1321)
- Catherina van Holland (around 1280 - after 1328)
See also
In Spanish: Florencio V de Holanda para niños
