Battle of Vlaardingen

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=The Battle of Vlaardingen
date=29 July, 1018
place=near Vlaardingen, South Holland, Netherlands
casus=
territory=
result=Decisive victory for Holland
combatant1=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
combatant2=County of Holland supported by Frisian settlers from the area of Vlaardingen
commander1=Duke Godfrey II
commander2=Count Dirk III
strength1='a large army'
strength2=smaller
casualties1=more than 900,Thietmar of Merseburg] 'more than three legions'Alpert of Metz]
casualties2=few:"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).

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.

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.

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.

Notes

References

*Thietmar of Merseburg, "Chronicon".
*Alpert of Metz, "De Diversitate Temporum".
*Ronald de Graaf, "Oorlog om Holland 1000-1375", Hilversum 2004, p. 91 and 96-103.
*C. Hoek, "De hof bij Vlaardingen", p. 75-79.
* [http://www.geerts.com/holland/holland-2.htm Holland from 993-1299]