Not to be confused with the Cod Wars.

The Hook and Cod wars (Dutch: Hoekse en Kabeljauwse twisten) comprise a series of wars and battles in the County of Holland between 1350 and 1490. Most of these wars were fought over the title of count of Holland, but some[who?] have argued that the underlying reason was because of the power struggle of the bourgeois in the cities against the ruling nobility.

The Cod faction generally consisted of the more progressive cities of Holland. The Hook faction consisted for a large part of the conservative noblemen.

The origin of the name "Cod" is uncertain, but is most likely a case of reappropriation. Perhaps it derives from the arms of Bavaria, that look like the scales of a fish. The Hook refers to the hooked stick that is used to catch cod. Another possible explanation is that as a cod grows it tends to eat more, growing even bigger and eating even more, thus encapsulating how the noblemen perhaps saw the expanding middle classes of the time.

Margaret of Bavaria vs William V (1350-1357)

The tumultuous reign of William IV of Holland

In 1337 William IV succeeded his father as count of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut (as William II). William IV waged many wars, traveled far and wide and participated in many tournaments. As a consequence the finances of Holland got in utter disarray. As regards politics William IV continued to rely on Willem van Duvenvoorde, and therefore also on Duvenvoorde's kin: the Wassenaar's, Polanen's, Brederode's, Boechorsten etc. This to the detriment of families like those of Arkel, Egmond, Heemskerk and Wateringen.[1]

After a successful siege of Utrecht, Willem IV thought about restoring his authority in Friesland. On 26 September 1345 he led an army that crossed the Zuiderzee and landed near Stavoren. Two days later, the sorrow remains of the army returned without Count William IV. William's uncle John of Beaumont managed to escape.[2]

Succession of William IV

William IV/II had no son. Therefore, Emperor Louis the Bavarian had to decide about his succession. There were multiple candidates: John of Beaumont, brother of William III and thus uncle of William IV; Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut oldest sister of William IV and the emperor's wife; Her younger sister Philippa of Hainault, married to Edward III of England; Her younger sister Joanna of Hainaut, married to William V, Duke of Jülich; Her younger sister Isabelle of Hainaut (1323–1361), married to Robert of Namur. In January 1346 the emperor granted the three fiefs to his wife as 'oldest sister and just heir' of count William IV.[2]

John of Beaumont had meanwhile taken control in Hainault, and made for a rather smooth succession by Margaret over there. It seems that Holland and Zeeland agreed to the succession at a kind of diet at Geertruidenberg in February 1346. In March Margaret arrived in Hainault, and in April she visited Holland and Zeeland. In September 1346 she then made her younger son William I, Duke of Bavaria (1330–1389) her lieutenant in Holland, Zeeland and Hainault. He was also appointed to one day inherit the counties, and therefore always officially styled as 'awaiting' verbeydende the rule over these.[3]

Trouble in Holland and Zeeland

In Holland and Zeeland the lieutenancy of William of Bavaria was not a success. Soon the bishop of Utrecht attacked, and so did the Frisians. After emperor Louis died in October 1347, King Edward III and the Duke of Jülich again came up with their claims to William IV's estate, and allied with the new emperor. In the interior the nobility seized the opportunity to take up their feuds, and indeed it had just cause to be dissatisfied about how the lieutenant and his government favored some families. Soon anarchy and insubordination ruled in these counties. As a result, the finances got even further out of control.[4]

William's first attempt to become Count of Holland

In 1349 Margaret decided that it would be better if William of Bavaria became count of Holland and Zeeland, while she would remain Count of Hainault with William as her lieutenant. In return she wanted to have 15,000 gold guilders, and 6,000 guilders each year. Neither Beaumont nor the cities of Holland were prepared to agree with these conditions, but William then started to style himself as Count of Holland and Zeeland.[4] His supporters, the later Cod's then attacked the castles of Duvenvoorde's party, and now the Egmond's, Heemskerk's and Wateringen's started to appear in the county's charters.

Margaret had meanwhile travelled from Bavaria to Hainault. She summoned her unruly son to Le Quesnoy. Here William begged for forgiveness in April 1350. In September both were in Geertruidenberg, where William renounced his pretensions. Their trip to Dordrecht was necessary, because some cities were in rebellion, especially Delft, and the nobility was scheming with the Bishop of Utrecht to seize power.[5] Meanwhile the dissatisfied nobles formed the Cod League. The Cod Alliance Act was later printed with a date of 23 May 1350.[6] However, as there are only copies of it, this date is contested. It might have been written in 1350, and sealed in 1351.[7]

Van Duvenvoorde, Dirk van Brederode and Jan van Polanen offered to help Margaret. In September 1350 they formed the Hook league. Margaret then continued to Zeeland to restore order there. She then tried to make Beaumont her lieutenant in Holland and Zeeland, but he refused.[5]

William rebels

The attempt to make Beaumont lieutenant might have been reason for William to fear a complete loss of his pretensions. When Delft rebelled again, Gerard van Herlaer advised him to contact the Cod party again. In the night of 1-2 February 1351 Gerard van Herlaar and Gerard van Merxem succeeded in freeing William of Bavaria from Burbant Castle in Ath.[7] William then formally allied himself with the Cod party, which acknowledged him as their count. He also allied with the Bishop of Utrecht.[5]

Margaret reacted by making her son Louis her formal heir, and by seeking aid from England.[8] In early 1351 Margaret, her son Duke Louis, and the Lords of Borselen and went to Dordrecht to attempt to subdue William again. While Dordrecht, Middelburg and Zierikzee allied with Margaret, William was acknowledged by Kennemerland and West-Friesland. Diplomatic action by Beaumont and the Queen of England failed. In April 1351 Margaret moved to Calais to negotiate with the English. William then seized Dordrecht. Willem (III) of Borselen then joined William, causing Middelburg to flip to William's side.[9]

A short war

The civil war now erupted in earnest. William of Bavaria's first moves were directed against the many castles that the Hook party held in Holland. Most of these were quickly conquered. Medemblik Castle offered significant resistance and was besieged in March-April 1351. Oud Haerlem Castle, owned by John II of Polanen held out much longer. This also applied to Geertruidenberg Castle. Its blockade and siege would last from December 1351 to July 1352.[10]

Edward III of England, husband of Margaret's sister Philippa, sent a fleet to her aid. This was initially successful. In May 1351 Margaret's combined forces won a naval engagement off Veere. The subsequent death of Van Borselen then saw the whole of Zeeland county under Margaret's control.[9]

About six weeks later, the victorious Hooks and their English allies sailed up the Meuse. On 4 July 1351 they fought the Battle of Zwartewaal on the Old Meuse. It was a clear victory for William and the Cods. The English admiral and many Hooks were killed. The outcome ruined Margaret's cause. The remaining Hook lords were banned, their castles ruined and their goods and offices given to the Cod Lords. In December 1351 she handed her last strongholds in Holland: Geertruidenberg, the castle of Vreeland on the Vecht, and Oud Haerlem Castle near Heemskerk, to the trust of King Edward.[9]

King Edward changed sides shortly after. In February 1352 William married the king's cousin Maud of Lancaster. Margaret returned to Hainault, and did not succeed in rekindling the war.

Peace between Margaret and her son

In December 1354 Margaret came to an understanding with her son. William was recognized as count of Holland and Zeeland, she of Hainaut. William would pay a large amount of money and a pension to his mother. Prisoners were released, and a general amnesty was proclaimed.[11]

In July 1356 Margaret died. It left William in possession of the entire Holland-Hainaut inheritance. William did not enjoy his victory for long. In late Summer 1357 he went to England. Shortly after his return he showed signs of insanity. It became so serious that his wife and council decided to call over his younger brother Albert. The count was then locked up, first in The Hague, and then in Le Quesnoy, where he would live for 31 year more.[11]

Reign of Albert of Bavaria (1358-1404)

Albert of Bavaria as regent

In February 1358 Albert I, Duke of Bavaria arrived in Holland. On 23 February 1358 he was appointed as ruwaard (regent) of Holland. Soon, the acknowledgement in Zeeland followed.[12] Albert started his regency by replacing Jan van Bloemenstein as bailiff of Kennemerland with Reinoud I van Brederode, eldest son of the Hook lord Dirk van Brederode. He also tried to change the Cod government of Delft.[13]

On his first trip to Kennemerland, the new bailiff Reinoud was ambushed near Castricum. Reinoud escaped, but the affair led to the Siege of Heemskerk Castle, which lasted from 4 December 1358 to 24 March 1359. During the siege of Heemskerk Castle, the city of Delft rebelled. Its militia assaulted and destroyed the houses of Polanen and Binkhorst. They also raided The Hague, and freed the prisoners there.[14]

On 1 April 1359 Albert started the Siege of Delft. The siege of the Cod Stronghold lasted more than 10 weeks. The city surrendered on terms. Its council had to beg for forgiveness, pay 40,000 old shields, and destroy the city walls. The nobles that supported Delft; Hendrik van der Woerd, Gijsbrecht van Nijenrode, Jan van Kervena and Gerard Wisse were not included in the treaty. Van der Woerd tried to escape, but was escaped and beheaded.[15]

Nyenrode, Kervena and some others escaped to Heusden Castle. It led to the siege of Heusden Castle, which lasted for more than a year. The castle was surrendered by treaty. The besieged would make their peace with Albert, and go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem within two years. The internal troubles in Holland then subsided for a while.[16] In 1362 a short war was fought against Guelders.

In 1372 violence erupted near Heusden. The Heerlijkheid Heusden had been transferred to Holland in 1357. However, the limits of the lordship had not been defined that well. Brabant laid claim to Vlijmen and Engelen. Jan van der Veen then raided and burned Onsenoort Castle, southeast of Heusden. In turn Zealand nobles attacked Brabant merchants in their province, while Reinoud van Brederode Lord of Gennep attacked the Campina and looted near Sint-Oedenrode. The army of Brabant then attacked Hainault. In 1374 this conflict ended without any result.[17] Also in 1374, a war against Utrecht started. It ended in 1375.[18] In 1389 the insane William V, who had been locked up since 1357 died.[19]

Jacqueline of Bavaria vs Philip of Burgundy (1417-1432)

The main battle re-emerged at the death of William VI, Count of Holland and Hainaut in 1417. Both William's brother John and his daughter Jacqueline claimed the county. The Cods chose the side of John, and, after his death, of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, while the Hooks supported Jacqueline.

The result of these battles and especially of her defeat at the Battle of Brouwershaven, was that Jacqueline was allowed to retain the titles of countess of Hainaut and Holland, but that Philip would rule the county. Philip was named heir to the county, and Jacqueline, who was childless, was not allowed to remarry without Philip's consent.

The treaty became void when Jacqueline remarried in 1432 with Frank van Borssele, and she had to hand her territories over to Burgundy.

The Bishopric of Utrecht vs Burgundy

The period between 1430 and 1450 remained reasonably calm, but when Philip the Good tried to expand his influence into the Bishopric of Utrecht by appointing his natural son David of Burgundy as Bishop, Hook resistance re-emerged in Utrecht. This led to the Siege of Deventer (1456), and two civil wars, (1470-1474) and (1481-1483), concluded in favor of the Cods and Burgundy after the Battle of Westbroek and the Siege of Utrecht (1483).

Frans van Brederode vs Maximilian of Austria

When the House of Burgundy had died out with the death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482, the Hooks revolted one more time against her husband and successor Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. The revolt was led by Frans van Brederode, but crushed in 1490.[20]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Blok 1923, p. 319.
  2. ^ a b Blok 1923, p. 320.
  3. ^ Blok 1923, p. 322.
  4. ^ a b Blok 1923, p. 323.
  5. ^ a b c Blok 1923, p. 324.
  6. ^ Van Mieris 1754, p. 778.
  7. ^ a b Van Doornmalen 2017, p. 95.
  8. ^ Rymer 1740, p. 59.
  9. ^ a b c Blok 1923, p. 325.
  10. ^ Van Doornmalen 2017, p. 96.
  11. ^ a b Blok 1923, p. 326.
  12. ^ Wagenaar, p. 293.
  13. ^ Wagenaar, p. 295.
  14. ^ Wagenaar, p. 296.
  15. ^ Wagenaar, p. 297.
  16. ^ Wagenaar, p. 298.
  17. ^ Wagenaar, p. 309.
  18. ^ Wagenaar, p. 306.
  19. ^ Wagenaar, p. 320.
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 2013-12-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links