Battle of Vlaardingen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
The Battle of Vlaardingen
Date 29 July 1018
Location near Vlaardingen, South Holland, Netherlands
Result Decisive victory for Holland
Belligerents
Imperial army sent by Emperor Henry II, troops furnished by: Duke Godfrey II of Lower Lorraine and Bishop Adelbold II of Utrecht and probably lesser amounts by those of Liège, Metz, Trier and Cologne County of Holland supported by Frisian settlers from the area of Vlaardingen
Commanders
Duke Godfrey II Count Dirk III
Strength
12,000 3,500
Casualties and losses
more than 900 92

Contents
For the later battle, see Battle of Vlaardingen (1351).

The Battle of Vlaardingen was fought in 1018 between the forces of Dirk III, Count of Holland, and an army sent by Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. The battle was fought to the northeast of Vlaardingen, on the shore of the Merwede river (this part of the river later became the Nieuwe Maas).

[edit] Before the battle

In the years preceding 1018 Count Dirk had turned his attention to the delta region surrounding Vlaardingen. The Frisian settlers in the area had accepted his rule (or were subjected to it) and agreed to pay certain taxes, to fight on Dirk's side if the region was attacked and to cooperate with the Count in levying tolls on passing trading vessels. Dirk also divided their land and assigned to each a plot for cultivation.

Dirk III, a vassal of Henry II, defied imperial rule by levying a toll on traders who passed through his lands. Henry II awarded Dirk's lands to the bishop of Utrecht in retaliation. A large imperial army commanded by Godfrey II, Duke of Lower Lorraine, including the armies of the bishops of Utrecht, Liège, and Metz, then headed for Vlaardingen.

[edit] The battle

Dirk III and his small Frisian army set a trap north of the town. The battlefield was a small area in the bogs north of Vlaardingen, where the sea had created inroads into the land. Dirk used ships to support his army from the sea. The imperial soldiers, thinking that they had already won the battle, were already celebrating victory and drinking lots of alcohol when they were surprised by Frisian troops.

[edit] Aftermath and significance

The Battle of Vlaardingen was a tremendous victory for Dirk III. Most of the imperial army was destroyed and captured imperial officials were executed.

[edit] The Thuredrith (Dordrecht) versus Vlardinga (Vlaardingen) doctrine

Many scholars still withstand that Thuredriht (Dordrecht) is mentioned as the place where Dirk III made his residence on the border of the river Merwe and not near modern Vlaardingen on the river Merwe? which, as they tell, actually was the river Meuse (Maas)?, I can't understand that scholars still persist in this story despite of the many evidences that tells another story. Even the old river Thure (present part of the Voorstraat harbour in Dordrecht) gives evidence that in the old records is spoken about Dordrecht.   The reason for this error must be that Dirk III fought two wars against the See of Utrecht and Cologne, namely in 998 and in 1018. The first in 998 took indeed place near Vlardinga as is written in the annals "at the Bushland of Merweda near Vlardinga" but the second took place in 1018 near "Thuredriht at the Merwe" (Dordecht).   More evidence is also that the river Meuse (Maas) and the river Waal can only be reached when coming from Tiel and further inland Colonge via the river Merwe (Merwede) when sailing in the direction of the North sea by passing Dordrecht en NOT Vlaardingen More evidence is also that Scholars agree with the story that his son Dirk IV was killed during the third war against the see of Utrecht, Cologne and Tiel in 1049 at Dordrecht (and not at Vlardinga).

When looking at the map of the Netherlands in the 11th century we can see that Dordrecht was situated at the mouth of the river Merwede and had an open link with the North Sea and ships from Tiel, Cologne (Koln) and the Renish towns, sailing to England, had to pass Dordrecht. The name used in the annals of the Counts of Holland and Frisia, written by the monks of the Abbey of Egmond, is Thuredriht (Dordrecht) and NOT Vlardinga (Vlaardingen).   Regarding this dispute I have only one question left : "Where are the ruins of the Castle at Vlaardingen"?. Count Dirk III owned only a stronghold at Vlardinga (Vlaardingen).   Thuredriht = Dordrecht at the "real" river Merwe (Merwede) and from Dirk III (1008) until Dirk VII (1203), the Counts had their residence at Dordrecht. After 1203 the residence was taken to The Hague by Willem I, the younger brother of Dirk VII. In 1204 Burcht "Merwe" was destroyed during the "Loonse" war (1203-1206). Later a second was build on the same spot in the 13th and 14th century (present called "Huis te Merwede").   The birthplace of the children of Dirk III and his successors is mostly mentioned as Thuredriht, of which scholars still believes as situated at modern Vlaardingen ?, but in the annals is clearly written that Count Dirk III, founded Thure-Foundadrecht also called Dortrecht, Dort, Dordt or Dordrecht in 1008 and made it his residence in "Burcht Merwe", a Castle build for his family.

Burcht "Merwe" and Caslte "Huis te Merwede"

By excavations in the 1980s is found that the first stone building that stood at this site was build before 1100 and probably consisted of a tower house at the north-eastern corner and 3 round towers which were connected by 2 residential buildings and 2 curtain walls.

The above excavations proves that there was indeed a Castle in the 11th century on the same spot as the later Castle "Huis te Merwede". Burcht "Merwe" would stay the residence of all the Counts of Holland until 1203 when the "Loonse" war broke out and Dordrecht en Geertruidenberg became part of the Ducky of Brabant (see later). The story of the later Castle "Huis te Merwede"

[edit] Notes


[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vlaardingen"