Battle of Vlaardingen

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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 north of Vlaardingen, which is now the Zouteveense Polder.

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. 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.

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