Therry of Aquitain , the First Earl .

THe most receiv'd opinion of the learned Antiquaries is , That Thyerry , or Childeric , Duke of Aquitain , was made Earl of Holland by Charles the ball'd , Emperour and King of France . He took possession of it in the year 863 , and tam'd the fury of the Frizelanders ; his Subjects growing weary of the long peace which he did politickly keep with all his neighbours , conspir'd against him , and drive him out of Holland ; but , by the assistance of the Emperour's Forces , he subdued them , and punished the authors of the rebellion . His Wife was Jane , daughter to King Pepin of Italy . Having reigned forty years in Holland , he dyed peaceably , leaving his State to his Son .

Thyerry , the Second .

Succeeding his Father , married Hulgard , Daughter to Lewis King of France . He overcame the Frizelanders in two pitch'd Battels , and re-built the Monastery of Egmont which they had burn'd . He died after he had governed eighty eight years , and lyes buried at Egmont .

Arnulph , or Arnout , the Third .

This Earl maintain'd a long War against the Frizelanders , in which he was at last kil●'d , and buried at Egmont , having reign'd five years .

Thyerry , the Fourth .

Thyerry the third was preferr'd to the dignity of Earl of Holland before his elder Brother , and married the Daughter of the Emperour Otho . In his time there appeared a Comet , which seem'd to prognostick the War that happen'd with the Bishop of Utrect ; after the loss of much Nob●lity , the said Bishop was taken and kept prisoner for a long time , because he did obstinately refuse all conditions of peace . This Duke to revenge his Fathers death , over-ran and ruin'd most of East-Frizeland , and at last gave it to Florent his younger Son . After this he undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem , and died coming back .

Thyerry , the Fifth .

Thyerry the fourth of this name , and Earl of Holland , being gone to Leege to a publick Turnament , and having in it kill'd the Bishop of Cullen , in revenge thereof was pursued to Dort , and there kill'd .

Florent , the Sixth .

Florent the first of this name succeeded in his Brothers place , who died without issue ; he forsook Frizeland to come and govern Holland ; he had W●r with the Archbishop of Cullen , the Bishop of Leege , and the Earl of Louvain , whom he defeated luckily by a stratagem invented by an old man , who advis'd him to cause deep Ditches to be made upon his enemies way , and to cover them over with straw and hay ; this design succeeded , and his enemies falling in great numbers , he charg'd them so smartly and at such an advantage , that he obtain'd a great victory : the Archbishop nevertheless having rallied his scattered Army , came again into Holland , and was again defeated . A little after the Earl Florent was treacherously kill'd .

Gertrude of Saxony , the Seventh .

This Princess took the reins of the Government in hand after the death of her Husband , and during the minority of her Son . She was married a second time to Robert of Frizeland , and died , having govern'd in great tranquillity . She left divers Children by both her Husbands .

Robert of Frizeland , the Eighth .

This Prince is reckoned amongst the Earls of Holland , though he were but Guardian to the young Thyerry ; he acquitted himself with much integrity and honour of this his employment , but he was driven out of his State by Godfrey of Lorrain , who by the strength and assistance of the Bishop of Utrect , possest himself of his Countrey .

Godfrey , the Ninth .

Godfrey being in possession of Holland , built the Town of Delft , subdued the Frizelanders , and after a happy Reign was at last treacherously murdered .

Thyerry , the Tenth .

This Prince , the true and lawfull Heir , having at last recover'd his own , made it his business to clear his Countrey of the Bishop of Utrect's Forces ; which he did by making peace with him ; after which he set upon the Frizelanders , and having pass'd his Army over the Ice , he encountred theirs , and kill'd four thousand upon the place : nevertheless they rallied , and coming up with new Forces , challenged the Earl and his Army ; which he bore so impatiently , that immediately charging them with all fury , he routed them , and in pursuit of his victory spar'd neither man , woman , nor childe . This bloody execution made them promise obedience . After which the Earl died in 1091. having reigned fifteen years : his W●fe was of the House of Saxony .

Florent the Fat , the Eleventh .

This Flo●ent govern'd Holland for thirty one years , being a very tall corpulent man , his inclination was peace , and was very charitable . He left four Children by his Wife Petronella of Saxony , Sister to the Emperour Lotaire . He died in the flower of his age , and left the administration to his Wife , during the minority of his Children . All his Subjects had a great respect and veneration for his piety .

Thyerry , the Twelfth .

Thyerry the sixth of that name was married to Sophia , Daughter to Otho Count Palatine , by whom he had four Sons and three Daughters . He chastized the Friz●landers , but they rallying again fell stoutly upon North-Holland , and burnt the Town of Alcmaer , being in a way to make their anger still more sensible to his State , if he had not resolutely opposed them . A little after hearing that his Brother-in-law was taken prisoner by them , and that his Forces were also defeated by the Bishop of Utrect , he immediately led his Army , and sate down before the Town with so much resolution , that he had undoubtedly taken it , had not the Bishop for a last shift put on his Pontificall habit , and come out with the rest of his Clergy to excommunicate the Count. Thyerry then fell upon his knees , and to avoid the excommunication , asked pardon and raised his siege . He was at l●st kill'd by the Frizelanders , having reign'd forty five years .

Florent , the Thirteenth .

Florent took place after Thyerry , and married with great transport of joy the Daughter of the King of Scotland , which Wibold Abbot of Egmond had brought to one of the Sea-Towns . He had by her four Sons and four Daughters . He chastized the Frizelanders , who had once again burnt Alcmaer , and died gloriously at Antioch , after he had seen the Sarrasins defeated and driven out of the holy Land .

Thierry , the Fourteenth .

Thierry succeeded , and had by his Wife Alide of Cleves two Daughters , whereof one was married to Henry of Gueldre , and the other to the Earl of Loen . He made War in Brabant , and took Boisteduc ; but was at last taken prisoner by the Duke of Lorrain .

Ada , the Fifteenth .

Ada Countess of Holland , and Daughter to Thierry , did not govern long ; for being married to the Earl of Loen , whom most of the neighbouring Princes did envy , there were many seditions fomented in her State , which at last broke out with great effusion of blood .

William the Sixteenth .

William the first of the name succeeded his Brother Thierry , and his Neece Ada. He had War with the Bishop of Utrect , and on both sides the Countrey was much ruin'd ; but by agreement at last he was to pay to the Bishop a thousand Talents . Upon the news of the death of his Uncle the King of Scotland , he immediately rigg'd out a great Fleet , to put himself in possession of that Kingdome ; which he thought was his right , and in pursuance of his design landed in Scotland , and took divers Towns ; but hearing the Earl of Loen his Nephew was come into Holland with an Army , he forsook the uncertain for the certain . He had two Wives , Alide of Gueldres , ( by whom he had three Sons and two Daughters ; ) and Mary , Daughter to the Duke of Lancaster , who had no Children . He died in the year 1223. having reign'd nineteen years .

Florent , the Seventeenth .

Florent the fourth Son to William , was married to Matthild , Daughter of the Duke of Brabant ; who had two Sons , William and Florent , and two Daughters , Alide Coun●ess of Hainaut , and Matthild Countess of Heneberg , that had at one birth as many Children as there are days in the year . This Prince was extream valiant , which was the cause of his death ; for the Countess of Clermont having heard much of his valour , was so desirous to see him , that she entreated her Husband to publish a solemn Turnament ; Florent fail'd not to be there , and by his noble carriage so charm'd the Countess ; that she could not hold praising of him before her Husband ; who thereupon conceiv'd so much jealousie , that he caused him to be barbarously murder'd in the flower of his age . His Body was transported into Holland , and buried at Rinsburg .

William , the Eighteenth .

William the second , being yet under age , succeeded to his Father , under the Guardianship of his Uncle the Bishop ; his Wife was Elizabeth of Brunswick , by whom he had Florent . This Prince was of a very warlike temper , and by reason of his valour was chosen King of the Romans , at the age of twenty years . He first held a Court at the Hague , to hear the complaints of the Hollanders and Zelanders ; in the protection of whom , he sent his Brother with an Army against the Flemmings , who were entred the Island of Walkeren in Zeland . There was so stout a ●encounter between the two Armies , that the ground for a great space was all covered with the blood of the Flemmings . The King upon the news ●astened into Zeland , and sav'd the lives of the rest of the Flemmings , but sent them away stark naked . After this he went into Germany , where he was receiv'd with great honour and joy ; coming back , he overcame the Frizelanders in one Battell , and a little before the second he was kill'd , having govern'd twenty one years . It was he that founded the Colledge of the Heemrades , where a Diikgrave presides .

Florent , the Nineteenth .

This Prince was two years under the Guardianship of his Uncle and his Aunt , Alide Countess of Haina●t . To make up the difference between the Hollanders and Flemmings , he married Beat●ix of Flanders , by whom he had five Sons and three Daughters , the youngest of which , Margaret , was Queen of England . To revenge his Fathers death he fell upon the Frizelanders , whom he worsted , and recover'd the dead Body of his Father , which he caused to be buried with royall obsequies . In his old age he corrupted the Wife of one Gerard de Velsen , a Gentleman of his Court , whom he had much lov●● ; and it was rather to affront him , than out of a desire to satisfie his lusts ; but Gerard and Herman de Vourd , his Father-in-law , resolv'd to be reveng'd , and by conspiracy seized the Earls person , and carried him to the Castle of Mude ; where , hearing of the Preparations made in Holland against them , they made the Earl get on Horseback , thinking to convey him into England ; but being too hotly pursued , Gerard gave him twenty two wounds with his Sword , and left him dead in a Ditch . This murder remain'd not unrevenged ; for some Authors write that Gerard being taken , was put into a Hogshead full of sharp nails , and so rolled up and down the Streets at Leyden till he died .

John , the Twentieth .

John the first of that name , being in England at the time of his Fathers death , there was some trouble in Holland , which was soon appeased by his presence . He married Elizabeth , Daughter to Edward King of England , by whom he had no Children . In his time there was a Giant in Holland , nam'd Nicolas , to whom other men compared were but Dwarfs ; his Shooe was so wide that four men together could set all their feet in it . The said Earl John died at Harlem , having reigned three years , and made room for the House of Hainaut .

John of Hainaut , the Twenty first .

JOhn the second of this name , Son to Alide Countess of Hainaut , Sister to King William , succeeded his Cousin-german in 1299. and took in marriage Philippine , Daughter to the Duke of Luxemburg , by whom he had three Sons and four Daughters . He was five years Earl of Holland , and did defend with much vigour his Brother , who was Bishop of Utrect , against those who endeavoured to deprive him of his Bishoprick . It is said , that in those dayes there was seen in the Air an arm'd Knight , who with a loud voice animated the people to War , and that the Sea also was seen full of Ships , which vanished before the eyes of them that curiosity had brought upon the shore . These apparitions were taken as prognosticks of the War , that a little after happened between the Hollanders and Flemmings in Zeland ; in which the Flemmings were defeated by the valour of William , Son to the Earl John ; but he outliv'd his victory a very small time , and lies buried at Valenciennes .

William , sirnamed the Good , the Twenty second .

William the third , by reason of his good nature and vertuous disposition , was call'd the Good . He had divers Children by his Wife Jane of Valois , viz. William , Lewis , John , Margaret Dutchess of Bavaria and Empress , Jane Countess of Juliers , Philippine Queen of England , and Elizabeth . In his time Holland was much aff●●cted with plague and famine . In the year 1328. Philip King of France gave a great overthrow to the Flemmings , being assisted by the Forces of this Earl . He reign'd thirty three years .

William , the Twenty third .

This young Prince led an Army into Spain , to assist that King against the Infidels , and got much honour in that War . Being come back into Holland , he besieged Utrect , and being ready to take and sack the Town , he was prevail'd upon by the Gentry to give the Citizens their lives , upon condition that five hundred of the best qualified should come bare-foot and bare-head , and fall down upon their knees before him , and crave his pardon for their faults . After this he went against the Frizelanders , where fighting too boldly , he was kill'd near Staveron . He left no Children by his Wife Jane of Brabant .

Margaret August , Countess , the Twenty fourth .

This Princess was Daughter of William the Good , and Wife to Lewis of Bavaria , Emperour . She came with a great retinue into Holland , and having took possession gave the Government to her Son William , reserving for her self a Pension every year . She sold all the Estates the Frizelanders had in Holland , to revenge her Brothers death . She died in the year 1355. and in her ended the House of Hainant .

William of Bavaria , the Twenty fifth .

VVIlliam the fifth , Duke of Bavaria , and Son to the Empress Margaret , govern'd three years , and had no Children by his Wife , who was of the House of Lancaster . He ran mad , and kill'd a Gentleman of great quality ; whereupon his Subjects gave him a Guardian , who was

Albert , the Twenty sixth .

Albert , his Brother govern'd as Guardian for the space of thirty years ; after which time the right fell to him , and he reign'd sixteen more . He had by his first Wife , William , Albert , and John , afterwards Bishop of Leege , Katherine Dutchess of Gueldres , Mary of Burgundy , Jane of Austria , and Jane Queen of Bohemia . In second marriage he took the Daughter of the Duke of Cleves . The Frizelanders felt the effects of his just anger .

William , the Twenty seventh .

William the sixth , Son to Albert , was twice married , first to the Daughter of Charles King of France , who died without issue ; secondly to the Daughter of Philip the bold Duke of Brabant , by whom he had a Daughter call'd Jacqueline . He made War with the Duke of Gueldres ; but after he made not only peace but friendship with him . A little before he died he made an assembly of the States , in which his Daughter was by common consent proclaim'd his Heiress . He died in the same year , which was the thirteenth of his Reign .

Jacqueline , the Twenty eighth .

Jacqueline being sixteen years old , was married to the Dolphin of France , Son to Charles the sixth , who died the first year of their marriage , and left her at liberty to marry John Son to the Duke of Brabant ; but this marriage being void , by reason of the proximity of blood , they being Cousin-germans , before the cause could be decided at Rome ; she went into England , and there was married anew to Humphrey Duke of Gloucester , Brother to King Henry : but this marriage being likewise made void by the Pope , she married Francis de Borsales , who was taken prisoner by the Duke of Burgundy . In her time there were many civil Wars ; and by her death her State fell to Philip of Burgundy , and in her ended the House of Bavaria .

Philip the Good , the Twenty ninth .

PHilip of Burgundy , Son to John of Burgundy , and Margaret Daughter of Albert , Duke of Bavaria , added this noble accession to his Dutchy . He had three Wives , the first Michelle , Daughter to Charles the sixth King of France , who died without Children . His second was Claudina , Daughter to Robert Earl of Heu , who was also barren . His third was Isabelle of Portugal , by whom he had three Sons , who died young , and the fourth nam'd Charles Earl of Charolo●● lived . He govern'd thirty four years ; he was a vertuous witty Prince . One day some body telling him , that the inhabitants of G●●nt did much court his Son Charles ; he answer'd that they were much given to love their Masters Son , but that they would hate him when he should be their Master . He receiv'd some injury from the King of England , and in revenge , besieged Calais with a prodigious Army ; but the inhabitants of Ghent and Bruges forsaking his Army , because he did not act according to their hasty expectations , were the ruine of his design . This Prince was the first that instituted at the Hague the Order of the Golden Fleece , and it has been since transferr'd to the House of Austria . His ordinary stay was at Bruges in Flanders , where he died .

Charles Earl of Charolois , the Thirtieth .

Charles , sirnamed the Warrier , succeeded to his Father . By his first Wife Katherine of France he had no Children ; but by his second , Elizabeth of Bourbon , he had the Princess Mary . War was this Princes inclination , which he begun against the King of France , Lewis the eleventh . He chastized the inhabitants of Liege , and caused the Town to be laid waste . He was still out-witted by Lewis , though he were assisted by the Constable de St. Paul , whom Lewis beheaded . He drove the Duke of Larrain out of his Countrey , who recover'd it again by the assistance of the Swissers , against whom by his fault he lost a great Battle , and in the hopes of revenge , having engaged them with a new Army , he lost above sixteen thousand men . And at last ( his ill fortune still pursuing him ) he went to besiege Nancy , and was there betrayed by an Italian , whom he loved and trusted too much , his Army defeated , and himself kill'd upon the place . It is thought that his design was to have extended his Dominions as far as Italy , by Lorrain and the Swissers ; and that he had often desir'd the Emperour , to erect his States into a Kingdome . Never Prince was more courted by forreign Powers than he ; for he had one only Daughter , extream handsome , and who was to inherit all his Dominions ; he promis'd her to none , but gave fair words to all . His death was much resented by his Subjects , and hardly beleev'd by the Hollanders . Lewis King of France was very glad of his death , for he stood much in awe of his power ; and 't is thought , that he prevailed with money upon this Italian , to betray him .

Mary Countess of Charolois , Dutchess of Burgundy , and Countess of Holland , the Thirty first .

The loss of this great Warriour , brought a great consternation amongst his people , and made them assemble the generall States at Louvain , to take care for the safety of those Provinces , and their Mistress . This young Lady was then about fourteen years old , when the tragick news of her Fathers death , reach'd her ears . The Emperour Ferdinand did desire her for his Son Maximilian ; and Lewis of France for his Dolphin Charles ; and it seem'd that the Ladies inclinations were more inclin'd o the French : but they too hasty to seize the prey , having entred Artois with an Army , the States gave her to Maximilian , the Emperours Son ; the Countess of Meguen her Governant having boldly said , that the Princess was of age to bear a man , and therefore they should not give her a childe , such as the Dolphin of France was .

The French upon this marriage were so incensed , that they laid wast all the Countrey of Artois ; and from thence fell upon Hainaut . They tryed also to annoy these Provinces by Sea , but were beaten by the Hollanders . This excellent Lady having liv'd some years in admirable union with her Husband , fell one day as she was a hunting , and broke two ribbs ; whereupon a Feaver citing her , she died in the year 1482. She left a Son call'd Philip , and Margaret her Daughter .