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Vlaardingen, Battle of

Years: 1351 - 1351

During the civil war in Holland and Hainaut (which is in a personal union with Holland) in 1350 between the Hooks and the Cods, the Hooks are fighting for the Countess Margaret of Hainaut, supported by England, while the Cods are fighting for Margaret's son William, who is ruling Holland in name of Margaret.

William defeats the Hooks and the English in the Battle of Vlaardingen in 1351.

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Edward III Intervenes in the Hook and …

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.

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The Battle of Vlaardingen (1351): William V …

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.