First War of the Guelderian Succession
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The First War of the Guelderian Succession was a battle for the throne of the Duchy of Guelders that raged between 1371 and 1379.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
First War of the Guelderian Succession | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Duchy of Jülich Bronckhorst faction |
Blois Heeckeren faction | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
William III Mary of Guelders |
John II of Blois Machteld of Guelders |
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The war originated when Duke Reginald 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 claimants to the ducal throne were their half-sisters: Matilda, who was married to John II, Count of Blois, and Maria, wife of William II of Jülich and mother to William I of Guelders and Jülich, on whose behalf she claimed the throne of Guelders.[1]
14th-century Guelders were divided in two factions:
- The Heeckerens supported Matilda, and were led by Frederik van Heeckeren van der Eze (1320-1386).
- The Bronckhorsters supported William, and were led by Gijsbert V van Bronckhorst (1328-1356).
The war lasted eight years, with Maria and her supporters emerging victorious, and Maria's son William becoming duke.