2021-04-05 Mon

William II was the duke of Bavaria Straubing and the count of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland. He ruled from 1404 until 1417 when he died from an infection caused by a dog bite.

William was born on 5th April in the year 1365 to Albert of Bavaria and Margaret of Brieg. William, allied with the Hooks, was in conflict with his father until 1394. In 1404 he succeeded him as count of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland and duke of Bavaria-Straubing.

William's reign was marked by internal strife within the county of Holland. In particular, Lord John V of Arkel supported William's enemies in Holland. William conquered Arkel in 1412, at which point John accepted his defeat and Arkel was annexed by Holland.

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. 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.

Depicted here is Holland, double groat or "Tuin", struck in Valenciennes under William. The obverse of a coin depicts Lion in the garden, seated to left, holding a shield. The reverse of a coin engraved Long cross Pattee in quatrefoil.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org