William II, Duke of Bavaria

Duke William II of Bavaria-Straubing KG (1365–1417) was also count William VI of Holland, count William IV of Hainaut and count William V of Zeeland. He ruled from 1404 until 1417, when he died of a dog bite. William was a son of Albert I and Margaret of Brieg.

Biography

William, allied with the Hooks, was in conflict with his father until 1394. In 1404 he succeeded him as Count of Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut and duke of Bavaria-Straubing.

In 1408 on the field of Othée William and John of Burgundy defeated together with Louis VII, Duke of Bavaria the citizens of Liege who revolted against William's brother John of Bavaria, the bishop of Liège. As a result he was no longer, as count of Hainault, obliged to pay homage to the bishop. William's reign was marked by internal strife within the county of Holland. In particular, Lord John of Arkel supported William's enemies in Holland. Arkel became a part of Holland in 1412 at which point John accepted his defeat at the hands of William.

William claimed Friesland as the count of Holland. Duke William I of Bavaria-Straubing had previously sent five expeditions to conquer Friesland. Only Stavoren was captured in 1398. William II also sent expeditions to the region but Stavoren was regained by the Frisians in 1414. Prior to his death, William ensured his nobles swore allegiance to his only daughter, Jacqueline. Jacqueline was the only child by his wife Margaret of Burgundy, a daughter of Philip the Bold.

However, on William's death in 1417, a war of succession broke out between his brother John, the bishop of Liège and his daughter Jacqueline of Hainaut. This would be the last episode of the Hook and Cod wars and finally place Holland and Hainaut into Burgundian hands. The duchy of Bavaria-Straubing was divided between the dukes of Bavaria, the major portion went to Bavaria-Munich in 1429.

Ancestors

See also

• Counts of Hainaut family tree