The Friso-Hollandic Wars and the Battle of Warns (September 26, 1345)

At the same time, Holland was embroiled in the Friso-Hollandic Wars, an ongoing struggle between the County of Holland and the autonomous Frisians.

• Count William IV of Holland, Margaret’s son, led a Hollandic invasion into Friesland, aiming to subjugate the fiercely independent Frisians.
• On September 26, 1345, Hollandic forces engaged in the Battle of Warns, near the town of Stavoren in Friesland.
• The Frisians, though outnumbered, decisively defeated the Hollandic army, killing Count William IV in battle.

Consequences and Legacy

• William IV’s death without an heir created a succession crisis in Holland and Hainaut, forcing Margaret II to assume direct control over her domains.
• The Battle of Warns was a major victory for the Frisians, securing their autonomy from Holland for decades.
• The conflict weakened Holland’s influence in the North Sea region, leaving it vulnerable to political and economic challenges.
• Imperial princes remained dissatisfied with Louis IV’s interference in Dutch affairs, further eroding his authority within the Holy Roman Empire.

The events of 1345, including Holland’s imperial transfer to Margaret II and the disastrous Battle of Warns, significantly altered the political landscape of the Low Countries, contributing to regional instability and ongoing struggles for power.

Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV Grants Holland to Margaret II of Hainaut and the Battle of Warns (1345)

In 1345, Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV ("Louis the Bavarian") expanded his influence in the Low Countries by granting Holland and the surrounding territories to his wife, Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut. This move, however, angered many of the imperial princes, as it further centralized power within the emperor’s family and altered the regional balance of power.

Imperial Control Over Holland and Political Tensions

• Margaret II of Hainaut (also known as Margaret of Bavaria) was already ruling Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland as the widow of Count William I of Hainaut.
• When Louis IV formally granted her these territories, it strengthened Bavaria’s influence in the region, but also:
  • Alienated rival claimants and imperial princes, who saw the move as a dynastic power grab.
  • Deepened tensions with France and Flanders, as Holland played a key role in maritime trade and economic affairs in the North Sea.

The Hook and Cod Wars (1350–1490): A Prolonged Power Struggle in Holland

The Hook and Cod Wars were a series of conflicts fought in the County of Holland between 1350 and 1490, centered primarily on succession disputes for the title of Count of Holland. However, many historians argue that these wars also reflected a deeper societal struggle—a power shift between the rising urban bourgeoisie and the traditional feudal nobility.

The Factions: Hooks vs. Cods

The two warring factions represented distinct social and political interests:

• The Cods (Kabeljauwen) – Named after the fish, they generally represented progressive urban interests, including the merchant class and city elites. They sought greater autonomy for towns and a weakened feudal order.
• The Hooks (Hoeken) – The conservative faction, largely composed of noble families and landed aristocracy, who aimed to maintain their traditional dominance over Holland’s governance and economy.

Origins of the Conflict (1350–1354)

The wars began in 1350, following the death of Count William IV of Holland, which triggered a succession crisis:

• The Hooks supported Margaret of Bavaria, the count’s mother, who initially ruled as regent.
• The Cods supported her son, William V, who sought to assert direct rule over Holland.

After years of conflict, William V secured victory in 1354, solidifying Cod dominance in Holland’s cities.

Continued Struggles and Later Phases (1400s)

Despite the initial resolution, the Hook and Cod divide persisted throughout the 15th century, with conflicts erupting during various political transitions, particularly:

• The Bavarian rule of Holland (1388–1433), which saw renewed tensions.
• The Burgundian takeover (1433) under Philip the Good, who eventually subdued the Hooks and consolidated Burgundian power in the Low Countries.
• The final uprisings of the Hooks (1480s–1490s), culminating in their defeat under Maximilian of Austria, which effectively ended the power struggle.

Impact and Legacy

The Hook and Cod Wars had lasting consequences for the political evolution of Holland and the Low Countries:

• Urban influence grew, with the Cod-aligned cities gaining more economic and political power over time.
• The feudal nobility’s power weakened, setting the stage for Holland’s transition into a more urban and trade-driven society.
• The wars contributed to the eventual centralization of power under the Burgundians and later the Habsburgs, paving the way for the Dutch Revolt (1568–1648).

Though framed as dynastic conflicts, the Hook and Cod Wars ultimately reflected broader societal shifts, where the rise of cities and commerce challenged the dominance of feudal aristocracy, marking a key moment in the medieval transformation of Holland.

The Hook and Cod Wars: The Succession Crisis in Holland (1350)

In 1345, Margaret of Bavaria, sister of the late Count William IV of Hainaut, inherited the County of Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland after her brother was killed at the Battle of Warns. However, as she was married to Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria and resided in Bavaria, she appointed her second son, William (later William V), to govern Holland as her representative.

By 1350, tensions had risen between William and his mother’s supporters, leading to the formation of two rival factions, the Cods and the Hooks, and igniting a civil war in Holland.

The Growing Divide: Margaret’s Return to Holland

• The Hollandic nobility, dissatisfied with William’s rule, invited Margaret to return from Bavaria in 1350 to reclaim direct authority over the county.
• This move split the nobility, as some supported Margaret’s return, while others remained loyal to William’s rule.

The Formation of the Cod and Hook Leagues

As tensions escalated, two political factions emerged:

1. The Cod League (May 23, 1350)

   • Formed by supporters of William V.
   • Primarily consisted of burghers and the urban merchant elite, who favored strong centralized rule and economic stability.

2. The Hook League (September 5, 1350)

   • Formed by Margaret’s supporters, mostly nobles who opposed William’s control.
   • Included landed aristocrats and rural elites, who sought to maintain traditional feudal privileges.

Civil War Breaks Out (1350–1354)

• Clashes between the Cods and Hooks soon erupted into open warfare across Holland and Zeeland.
• The conflict was not just about succession but also reflected social and economic divisions, with urban factions supporting William and the feudal nobility backing Margaret.
• The war would continue for four years, drawing in external forces and shaping Holland’s political landscape for generations.

Significance and Legacy

• The Hook and Cod Wars were among the earliest documented factional struggles in the Low Countries, influencing future power struggles in the region.
• The conflict weakened Holland’s stability, making it a target for external intervention, including from the Dukes of Burgundy in the late 14th century.
• The dispute between Margaret and William V would eventually be settled in 1354, but the rivalry between Cods and Hooks persisted for over a century, continuing to affect Dutch politics well into the 16th century.

The Hook and Cod Wars of 1350 marked a pivotal moment in the political evolution of Holland, highlighting the tensions between centralized authority and feudal autonomy, as well as the growing power of urban elites in medieval Europe.

Edward III Intervenes in the Hook and Cod Wars: The Naval Battle off Veere (1351)

In 1351, Edward III of England intervened in the Hook and Cod Wars, siding with his sister-in-law, Margaret of Bavaria, in her struggle against her son, William V of Holland. His involvement led to a decisive naval victory off Veere, strengthening Margaret’s position in the conflict.

Edward III’s Involvement

• Margaret of Bavaria was the sister of Philippa of Hainault, Edward III’s queen consort.
• As the Cods (urban elites) supported William V and the Hooks (nobility) backed Margaret, the struggle escalated into a full-scale civil war in Holland and Zeeland.
• Edward III, already engaged in the Hundred Years' War, saw the conflict as an opportunity to extend English influence in the Low Countries.
• In 1351, he sent a fleet to support Margaret, resulting in a naval battle off Veere (in present-day Zeeland, Netherlands).

The Naval Battle off Veere (1351)

• Edward III’s fleet engaged the forces of William V, who had the backing of the Cod League and its supporters.
• The English navy defeated William’s fleet, giving Margaret and the Hooks temporary control over Zeeland.
• This victory secured English influence in the region, demonstrating England’s naval superiority and allowing Margaret to continue her struggle against her son.

Impact and Consequences

• Despite the victory, the war continued, as William V still held strong support among the urban elite in Holland.
• Margaret’s position was strengthened, but the conflict remained undecided until 1354, when William V ultimately secured control of Holland.
• Edward III’s involvement deepened English influence in the Low Countries, ensuring that Holland and Zeeland remained entangled in broader Anglo-French rivalries.

Edward III’s naval victory off Veere in 1351 was a key moment in the Hook and Cod Wars, reinforcing Margaret’s resistance but failing to deliver a decisive resolution to the civil war in Holland.

The Battle of Vlaardingen (1351): William V and the Cods Defeat the Hooks and English

Following Edward III’s naval victory off Veere in 1351, the Hook faction and their English allies suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Vlaardingen just weeks later. This decisive victory for William V of Holland and the Cod faction effectively ruined Margaret’s cause and marked the beginning of William’s consolidation of power.

The Battle of Vlaardingen (1351)

• After their defeat at Veere, William V and the Cods regrouped and launched a counteroffensive against Margaret and her Hook supporters.
• The two factions clashed at Vlaardingen, a strategic location in Holland, where the Cods, backed by Holland’s urban elite and merchants, overwhelmed the Hooks and their English reinforcements.
• The Hooks suffered a decisive defeat, breaking their remaining strength and leaving Margaret’s position untenable.

Consequences of the Battle

• The defeat at Vlaardingen effectively destroyed Margaret’s chances of reclaiming power in Holland.
• William V emerged victorious, cementing his control over Holland and Zeeland.
• Edward III, realizing Margaret’s cause was lost, withdrew further support, shifting his focus back to the Hundred Years’ War.
• The Hook and Cod Wars did not fully end, but William’s authority over the region was now firmly established.

End of the Conflict and Legacy

• In 1354, a final settlement was reached in which Margaret formally renounced her claims, leaving William V as the undisputed ruler of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut.
• The Hook and Cod Wars left a lasting political divide in Holland, with the urban merchant class maintaining dominance over the landed nobility.
• Holland’s shift toward centralized governance under William V would play a significant role in the region’s later economic and political development.

The Battle of Vlaardingen (1351) marked the definitive turning point in the Hook and Cod Wars, crushing Margaret’s faction and ensuring William V’s rule over Holland, shaping the future of the Low Countries.

dward III Switches Sides and Margaret Reconciles with William V (1354)

Following the Hooks' defeat at the Battle of Vlaardingen (1351), Edward III of England withdrew his support for Margaret of Bavaria and switched allegiance to William V of Holland. This left Margaret politically isolated, forcing her to seek a compromise with her son.

Edward III’s Shift in Allegiance

• After supporting Margaret and the Hooks, Edward III abandoned her cause, recognizing that William V had gained the upper hand.
• This realignment of English support weakened Margaret’s position further, accelerating the end of the Hook and Cod Wars.

The Compromise of 1354: Division of Power

• In 1354, Margaret was forced to negotiate with William V, leading to a final settlement in which:
  • William V was formally recognized as Count of Holland and Zeeland.
  • Margaret retained control of Hainaut, effectively dividing their rule.
• This agreement ended the civil war, securing William’s uncontested rule over Holland and Zeeland while Margaret retained some authority in the Low Countries.

Impact and Legacy

• William V’s rule marked the beginning of a more stable and centralized Holland, strengthening its economic and political development.
• Margaret’s compromise ensured peace, but her authority remained diminished, and William V consolidated power over time.
• The Hook and Cod rivalries continued as a political force, influencing Dutch politics for over a century.

By 1354, the Hook and Cod Wars had effectively ended, with Margaret and William V reaching a compromise, ensuring that Holland and Zeeland remained under William’s control while Margaret retained Hainaut, shaping the future of the Low Countries.

The Death of Margaret II of Hainaut and William V’s Consolidation of Power (1356)

In July 1356, Margaret II of Hainaut died, leaving her son, William V, Count of Holland and Hainaut, in possession of the entire Holland-Hainaut inheritance. With her passing, the long-running Hook and Cod Warsbetween Margaret and William officially came to an end, as William was now undisputed ruler of these territories.

William V’s Rule Over Holland and Hainaut

• After years of civil conflict, William now controlled Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut, unifying the strategic lands of the Low Countries.
• His reign continued to be shaped by internal power struggles between the urban elite (Cods) and the noble factions (Hooks), though he emerged as a strong ruler.

Marriage to Maud of Lancaster

• William V was married to Maud of Lancaster, a sister of Blanche of Lancaster.
• This marriage strengthened his ties to the English royal family, as Blanche was married to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a key figure in English politics and the Hundred Years' War.
• These connections aligned William with English interests, further embedding Holland and Hainaut into the broader Anglo-French conflicts.

Legacy and Impact

• With Margaret’s death in 1356, William became the undisputed ruler of his domains, marking the end of the direct conflict between mother and son.
• His marriage to Maud of Lancaster cemented ties with England, potentially influencing future Dutch-English relations.
• However, William’s rule would later be overshadowed by his mental illness, leading to internal instability in Holland and Hainaut.

The death of Margaret II in 1356 marked the final resolution of the Hook and Cod Wars, allowing William V to rule a united Holland and Hainaut, though his reign would face future challenges.