William II, Count of Hainaut

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William II, Count of Hainaut (1307 – September 26, 1345) was William IV of Avesnes, William IV of Holland and William III of Zeeland from 1337 to his death, succeeding his father, William I. He married Joanna, Duchess of Brabant and Limburg in 1334, but had no issue.

[edit] Military career and death

William fought in France as ally of the English (he was the brother in law of Edward III). He went on crusade against the Saracens and the Lithuanians. He besieged Utrecht, because his one time favourite bishop John van Arkel of Utrecht had turned against him. He died during one of the battles of Warns against the Frisians in 1345; a Frisian nobleman of the revolting Donian-families split his head using a Zweihander.

[edit] After his death

William was succeeded by his sister, who was married to emperor Louis IV. Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland became a part of the imperial crown domains.

[edit] See also

• Counts of Hainaut family tree
• Counts of Holland family tree
• Count of Nychlenborch
• Donia the Great
• Friso-Hollandic Wars
• Frisia

Preceded by William I	Count of Hainaut	Succeeded by Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV and Margaret II
	Count of Holland and Zeeland