Guelders war of succession

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The Guelders War of Succession was a battle for the throne of the Duchy of Guelders that raged between 1371 and 1379.

The war originated when Duke Raynald III died without issue in 1371. His brother, Edward, who had been killed in the Battle of Baesweiler earlier that same year also left no offspring. The pretenders to the ducal throne were the two daughters of Duke Raynald II: Machteld, who was married to John II, Count of Blois, and Maria, Duchess of Jülich, wife to William II of Jülich and mother to William III of Jülich, in whose behalf she claimed the throne of Guelders.

14th century Guelders was divided in two factions. The Herkerens supported Machteld, and the Bronkhorsters supported William. The war lasted eight years, with Maria and her supporters emerging victorious and William becoming Duke of Guelders.