Floris de Voogd

Who was Floris de Voogd?

Floris de Voogd "the guardian" of Holland, son of Floris IV, Count of Holland and Matilda of Brabant. He reigned temporarily for William II of Holland, King of the Romans, while the latter was engaged in Germany. After King William's death in 1256 he was guardian of Floris V, Count of Holland, son of William. He is sometimes referred to as "Florentius tutor".

He defeated the army of Flanders that had invaded Walcheren in 1253, where he captured Guy and John of Dampierre, both sons of Margaret II, Countess of Flanders and commanders for Flanders. In 1256 he signed a peace treaty with Flanders on the status of Zeeland, reaffirming Flanders' rights west of the Scheldt river. Flanders was forced to compensate Holland for the damages of the war and only after this Margaretha's sons were freed. Floris was killed at a tournament in Antwerp, and was buried in Middelburg.