Vijfheerenlanden

Vijfheerenlanden in the 16th century

Vijfheerenlanden (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvɛifˌɦeːrə(n)ˌlɑndə(n)]), literally "land with five Lords" is an area in the provinces of South Holland and (since 2002) Utrecht in the Netherlands. The area also borders on two other Dutch provinces: Gelderland to the east, and North Brabant to the south. On its western border is the Alblasserwaard, an area in South Holland, and on its eastern border the Tielerwaard, an area in Gelderland.

Vijfheerenlanden consists of three municipalities: Vianen (Utrecht), Leerdam (South Holland) and Zederik (South Holland). The largest city of Vijfheerenlanden is Vianen, which is a major node in the Dutch network of roads and rivers. The second largest city is Leerdam.

The borders on the north and south of the area are formed by rivers, de Lek in the north and the Waal the south, the east border is formed by the line Haaften – Rhenoy – Everdingen, and the west border is formed by the line Ameide – Meerkerk – Arkel.

The area takes its name from the Lords of Arkel, of Ter Leede, of Hagestein, of Everdingen, dike builders from Haaften, and the Van Brederodes from Vianen, who together, in 1284, took measures to protect the area against the threat of water from the Geldersche Betuwe. The most eastern village in Vijfheerenlanden is Haaften, which was the village that was threatened the most by the water, and the villagers there started to heighten the dikes.