Counts and Dukes of Guelders

This article deals with the rulers of the historical county and duchy of Guelders, for other meanings see Guelders.

Original coat of arms of the County and Duchy of Guelders

Coat of arms after 1379

List of Counts of Guelders

House of Wassenberg

The first count of Guelders was Gerard IV, Lord of Wassenberg.

During Reginald II's reign, the county of Guelders became a duchy.

• before 1096–about 1129 : Gerard I
• about 1129–about 1131 : Gerard II the tall, son of
• about 1131–1182 : Henry I, son of
  • about 1160–about 1181 : Gerard, regent, son of
• 1182–1207 : Otto I, son of
• 1207–1229 : Gerard III, son of
• 1229–1271 : Otto II the lame, son of
• 1271–1318 : Reginald I, son of
• 1318–1343 : Reginald II the black, son of

List of Dukes of Guelders

House of Wassenberg

During Reinoud II's reign, the county of Guelders was elevated to a duchy.

• 1318–1343 : Reginald II the black

• 1343–1361 : Reginald III the fat, son of, first time
  • 1343–1344 : Eleanor, regent, daughter of Edward II of England, wife of Reginald II
• 1361–1371 : Edward, brother of Reginald III
• 1371 : Reginald III the fat, second time

After the death of Reginald III without issue, two of his sisters disputed the succession of the Duchy of Guelders:

• 1371–1379 Matilde (d. 1384) and John II, Count of Blois (d. 1381), her third husband
• 1371–1379 Maria (d. 1397) and William II, Duke of Jülich (d. 1393), her husband

House of Jülich-Hengebach

• 1379–1402 : William I, son of Maria and William II
  • 1371–1377 : William, regent, father of
• 1402–1423 : Reginald IV, brother of

House of Egmond

• 1423–1465 : Arnold, descendant of Reginald IV's sister
  • 1423–1436 : John, regent, father of
• 1465–1471 : Adolf, son of
• 1471–1473 : Arnold, again

Arnold sold the Duchy of Guelders to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who was recognized by the Holy Roman Emperor as Duke of Guelders.

House of Burgundy

• 1473–1477 : Charles I the Bold
• 1478–1482 : Mary the Rich, wife of Maximillian

House of Habsburg

• 1477–1482 : Maximillian, ruler jure uxoris, father of
• 1482–1492 : Philip I the Handsome, son of

House of Egmond

The Egmond family did not abandon their claims to Guelders and Charles of Egmond conquered the Duchy in 1492. He remained in power with support of the French king.

• 1492–1538 : Charles II, son of Adolf

House of Cleves

• 1538–1543 : William II the rich

House of Habsburg

• 1543–1555 : Charles III
• 1555–1598 : Philip II, son of

Guelders in popular culture

William Thatcher, the lead character in the 2001 film A Knight's Tale played by Heath Ledger claimed to be Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein from Gelderland so as to appear to be of noble birth and thus qualify to participate in jousting.

See also

• Duchy of Guelders

External links

• Geldern-Heinsberg
• House of Egmont
• Map of Upper Guelders in 1789 - Northern Part
• Map of Upper Guelders in 1789 - Southern Part