Dirk I

Who is Dirk I?

Dirk van Holland was bishop of Utrecht in 1197.

Dirk van Holland was the son of Dirk VI, Count of Holland and Sophia van Rheineck. This made him brother to Floris III, Count of Holland and bishop Baldwin II van Holland.

After bishop Baldwin's death he was put forward by the count of holland as candidate for the vacant seat at Utrecht. He was supported by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor. However, the count of Guelders nominated Arnold I van Isenburg for the seat, and Arnold was supported by the archbishop of Cologne and the pope. The impasse resulted in Dirk being recognised in the Nedersticht while Arnold was recognised in the Oversticht.

Both candidates travelled to rome, where Arnold was consecrated as bishop by pope Innocent III in 1196. Arnold died in the same year however, which allowed Dirk to be consecrated after all. Unfortunately Dirk died while on his way back to Utrecht, in Pavia.