The Counts of Holland ruled over the County of Holland in the Low Countries between the 10th and the 16th century.
The first count of Holland, Dirk I, was the son or foster-son of Gerolf, Count in Frisia (Dijkstra suggests that Dirk may have been the son of a sister of Gerolf and that his own father died while he was still an infant). He received land around Egmond from Charles the Fat at a place called Bladella (modern day Bladel near Eindhoven, The Netherlands) in 922. This is seen as the beginning of the county of Holland. However, until about 1100, the usual names for the county were West-Friesland, Frisia or Kennemerland; in spite of this the counts from Dirk I onwards are traditionally named of Holland.
The following plates originate from: ‘Tooneel Der Vereenigde Nederlanden 1725. Compiled By François Halma And After His Death Continued By writer and drawer Mattheaeus Brouërius van Nidek, published by François Halma in Leeuwarden.
Author: François Halma (1653-1722) was a Dutch bookdealer / publisher and printer for Academies / Universities, first in Utrecht, then Amsterdam and from 1710 in Leeuwarden.
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Dirk I Reign 896 to c. 928 or 939
Original copper engraving, Dirk I count of West Frisia, later known as the County of Holland. He is thought to have been in office from c. 896 to c. 928 or 939. hand crafted paper. Sheet size: 39 x 25.4 cm, print size; 33.2 x 24.2 cm. oblong, blanc on verso. Own coll.
Matthaeus Brouërius van Nidek writer, drawer from the Netherlands. Date of birth7 Dec1677 Amsterdam. Date of death June 1742. Work period (start) 1692 Work period (end) 1742. Country of citizenship Norway.
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Dirk II Reign 928-944
Original copper engraving Dirk II or Theoderic II (920/930 – 6 May 988) was count in West Frisia, and a predecessor of the counts of Holland. He was the son of Dirk I, count in West Frisia, and Geva (or Gerberge).
hand crafted paper. Sheet size: 39 x 25.4 cm, print size; 33.2 x 24.2 cm. oblong, blank on verso. Own coll.
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Dirk III Reign 1005 – 27 May 1039
Original copper engraving Dirk III (also called Dirik or Theodoric) was the count with jurisdiction over what would become the county of Holland often referred to in this period as "West Frisia", from 993 to 27 May 1039. Until 1005, this was under regency of his mother. It is thought that Dirk III went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 1030, hence his nickname of Hierosolymita (the Jerusalemite in Latin) a native or resident of Jerusalem).
hand crafted paper. Sheet size: 39 x 25.4 cm, print size; 33.2 x 24.2 cm. oblong, blank on verso. Own coll.
