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Counts of Holland
Holland, which today is divided into two Dutch provinces, have dominated
the history of the Netherlands so much that its name have become a synonym
to the Netherlands. The early history of the county of Holland is clouded
but it emerged in the region that was called Frisia during the Middle age
and which approximately correspond to most of the modern state of the Netherlands.
The counts of Holland tried frequently to increase their territory but apart
from the acquisition of Zeeland during the 14th century they had no lasting
success. Instead it became a part of the mighty medieval dynasties
possessions, first Wittelsbach then Valois and thereafter Habsburg. Holland
liberated itself together with other provinces from Habsburg control and
created the independent state of The Netherlands 1581
Counts in Frisia
Holland join the
United Netherlands in 1581
Stadtholders of Holland and Zeeland
(and Utrecht from 1528)
All Dutch provinces belonging to the houses of Valois and Habsburg were
administrated by stadtholders. Holland and Zeeland had a common stadtholder
who after Karel's (Charles V's) purchase of Utrecht in 1528 also ruled over
that province.
Willem I led from 1572 a rebellion against the Spanish king which resulted in
the creation of the Dutch republic (United Netherlands) 1581. The stadtholders of
Holland were thereafter the de facto head of states of the Netherlands. The
following stadtholders are therefore listed on the page with the regents of
The Netherlands. |
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