Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Netherlands Substates
See also Netherlands Heads and Belgium Substates
Go to Bergen op Zoom, Friesland, Gelders, Hamaland, Holland-Zeeland, Mecheln, Oranje-Nassau, Thorn, Vianden and Utrecht
Bergen op Zoom
Until
Ca. 1330 and 1351-53 Dame Mathildis van Wezemaal
Her daughter, Johanna, was Lady until her death 1348/49 and thereafter Mathildis
again acted as Dame until her abdication.
Ca. 1330-48/49 Dame Johanna van Voorne
1577-88
Marchioness Maria Margaretha van Merode
She was given the Marchionate as a fief by the States of Brabant. Daughter
of Jan van Merode and niece of Jan IV van Glymes of Bergen op Zoom.
1588-1613
Maria Mencia van Wittem
Daughter of Maria Margaretha van Merode and Jan van Wittem and was given the
Marchionate as a fief of the Spanish King, but she was not inagurated until 1609.
1613-33
Maria Elisabeth I Clara van den Bergh
Daughter of Maria Mencia and Herman van den Bergh en van Maria Mencia van Wittem,
and had no children. She lived (1610-33)
1638-71 Sovereign
Marchioness Maria Elisabeth II van den Bergh 's-Heerenberg, Countess of Walhain
She was given the Marchionate as a fief from in 1635, three years after her
aunt, Maria Elisabeth I, died, but she was not able to take the fief into
possession until after the Peace of Munster in 1648. Her aunt's widower, Albert,
Count van den Bergh, had claimed the succession of his wife, and he was given
the Marchionate as a fief by the king of Spain in 1641, and not until 1650 did
he give up his claims, after she gave up her claims to the County of Bergh.
Maria Elisabeth II ruled jointly with husband, Fürst Eitel Friedrich zu
Hohenzollern-Hechingen until his death in 1661. She was succeeded by daughter,
Franziska Henrica, and lived (1613-71).
1672-98 Henriëtte Francisca, Prinses van Hohenzollern
Daughter of Maria Elisabeth II, she was given the Marchionate as a fief in 1672
but was not inaugurated until 1681. She lived (Ca. 1642-98)
1710-22 Guardian and
Administrator Dowager Marchioness Maria Anna van Arenberg of Bergen op Zoom and
Walhain (The Netherlands)
After the death of her husband, she acted as regent for her daughter, Maria
Henriëtte de la Tour d'Auvergne. According to some sources Maria Anna's mother
acted as regent for Maria Henrietta's son Karel Philip Theodoor van Sulzbach
from 1728. She was daughter of Philippe Charles François, 3rd Duke of Arenberg,
Duke d'Aerschot and Donna Maria Enrietta del Caretto, Marchesa di Savona y Grana,
and lived (1689-1736).
1710/22-28
Maria Henriëtte de la Tour d'Auvergne
Daughter of François Egon, and married Johan Christiaan van Sulzbach in 1722
and at the same time, she was inaugurated as Marchioness.
1728-42 Guardian and
Administrator Maria Enrietta del Caretto de Savona y Grana von
Arenberg
After the death of Philippe Charles François de Ligne, 3rd Herzog von Arenberg,
Duc d'Aerschot, (1663-91) she might have been the person who was regent for son
Leopold Philippe, Duke of Arenberg, Duc d'Aerschot (1691-54), who married Donna
Maria Francesca Pignatelli, Duchessa di Bisaccia, Countess van Egmond
(1696-1766). Apparently she acted as regent for her great-grandson Karel Philip
Theodoor van Sulzbach (b.1724) after the death of her grand-daughter, Maria
Henriëtte de la Tour d'Auvergne and was known as "the Dowager van Arenberg"
during this period. Karl Philip became elector of Bavaria in 1777. He died in
1799 as the last Marquis of Bergen op Zoom. She was also known as Maria
Enrichetta, and was Daughter of Ottone Enrico, Field Marshal of the Empire,
Governor and General Captain of the Netherlands from 1682, and succeeded him to
the titles of Titluar Marchesa di Savona y Grana, Countess of Millesimo, Lady
and Co-Lady of Roccavignale, Co-Lady of Cosseria, Dame di Casaleggi in 1685,
and lived (1671-1744).
County of Bergh ('s-Heerenberg)
1715-22 Regent Johanna Katharina von Montfort
of Bergh
In 1712 the family of Van den Bergh died out and the county was inherited
by the family of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, through her
mother-in-law, Marie Klara van den Bergh
(1635-1715), the wife of Prince Maximillian
von Hohenzollern. Johanna's younger son, Franz Wilhelm Nikolaus,
was granted the title and after the death of her husband, Prince Meinrad
II Karl Anton, (1673-1715), she became
regent. In 1718 , she granted the Prussian Commissar of War, Dozem zu
Kleve, with several manorhouses as fief in 1718. Her oldest son
was Prince Josef Franz Ernst Meinhard Karl Anton von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
(1702-69). Johanna von Montfort lived (1678-1759)
Bronckhorst
1505-18 Regent Dowager Lady Mechteld van den Bergh
After the death of her husband, Frederik van van Bronckhorst en Borculo, she is
regent for their son, Count Joost van Bronckhorst-Borculo, who married Maria van
Hoya, but dies without issue in 1553 leaving the possessions to his niece
Ermgard van Wisch.
1544-87 Sovereign Lady Ermgard van Wisch of Wisch op Oud-Wisch, Wildenborch,
Overhagen and Lichtenvoorde (The Netherlands)
1552-58 Regent Dowager Countess of Limburg-Stiurm
1553-87 Hereditary Countess of Bronckhorst and Borculo
She inherited the family's possessions in Wisch after the death of her brother,
Joachim, but her mother, Waldburga van den Bergh was allowed to reside in the
castle for life. After the death of her husband, Georg von Limburg in Stirum
(1500-52), she was regent for son, Herman George, Graaf van Limburg en
Bronkhorst, heer in Stirum, Wisch en Borculo (1540-74), who later married to
Maria von Hoya (1534-1612). Finally she inherited the possessions of her uncle,
Count Joost van Bronckhorst-Borculo. She (d. 1587).
1690-1759 Hereditary Countess Maria von Limburg
Count Albrecht Georg von Limburg und Bronckhorst (1661-90) and Elisabeth
Philippine van den Boetzelaer (1663-92) and in 1714 married to Landgrave Philipp
von Hessen-Philippsthal (1686-1717), and lived (1689-1759).
Friesland
B.C. 590-59 Ruler Adela
Ca. 1057-Ca.64 Ruler Westerlinga
Deposed
1077/86-1117 Countess Regnant Gertrude von Bruno von Ooster- en Westergo
1134-54 Countess Gertrud von Bentheim
1154-57/76 Countess Sofia von Bentheim
Ca. 1252/53 Countess Sophie von Ravensberg
She left the county to the Bishop of Utrecht
Until 1616 Countess Agnes of Oostfriesland and Rietberg etc.
1648-51 Dowager Countess Juliane von Hessen of Oostfriesland
1665-90 Dowager Countess Charlotte von Würtemberg of Oostfriesland
1696-1708 Governess-General Dowager Princess
Henriëtte Amalia Maria von Anhalt-Dessau
of Friesland, Groeningen and Drente
1696-1708 Regent of Nassau in Diez (Germany)
1702-08 Regent in Oranje/Orange
Regent for son Johan Willem Friso. Her husband, Hendrik Casmir II Prince of
Nassau etc, had been non-hereditary stadtholder of the
Netherlands, and she ruled for son in other possesions of the family.
She
lived (1666-1726).
1711-33 Governess Dowager Princess Marie-Louise von Hessen-Kassel of
Friesland-Groeningen and Drenthe
1759-65 Governess of Friesland
Her husband Johan Willem Friso van Oranje-Nassau,, had been non hereditary stadhouder of the
Netherlands, and she ruled for son, Willem IV, Price of Oranje and Nassau and
for Grandson Willem V, after the death of his mother, Princess Anne (She lived
(1688-1765)
1751-59 Governess Dowager Princess Anne of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover, Duchess of Braunchweig and Lüneburg and Princess Royal of Friesland, Nassau and Oranje etc.
1765-66 Governess Princess Carolina of Oranje-Nassau of Friesland
Regent for brother Willem V. Married Prince Karl of Nassau, Count of
Saarbrücken and Saarwerden, Herr of Lahr, Mahlberg, Wiesbaden and Idstein. She
lived (1743-87)
Gelders and Zytphen
1118-34/38 Countess Ermengardis of Zytphen
1343 Dowager Duchess Alionora of England of Geldre and Zytphen
1371-83 Titular Duchess Maria of Geldre-Zytphen
1372 Duchess Regnant Mechtild of Geldre-Zytphen
1372-79 Countess of Zypten, Regent of Over- en Neder Betuwe, de Bommeler en
Telewaarden en de Veluwe
She was declaired Duchess, but was deposed.
1423-27 Lady Maria
d'Harcourt of Brüggen,
Grevenbroich, Arschot and Brebeke
(in Germany and the Netherlands)
Daughter of
Count Jean VI d'Harcourt et Aumale and Catherine de Bourbon, Princess of France.
After the death of her husband Duke Rainald IV, Duke of Jülich and Geldern,
Count of Zutphen, she remained Lady of a number of possessions of Jülich. In
1424, she granted freedom to her serfs. Two years she married Duke Ruprecht von
Jülich-Berg, Bishop of Passau and Paderborn. She lived (ca. 1389-1427)
1477 Regent Princess Catarina van Egmond von Geldre
1477-91 Regent
First for her brother, Adolf II, who was held prisoner and later for son, Karel
d'Egmond (1492-1538)
973-1021 Sovereign Countess Adela van Hamaland
She was the oldest daughter of the rich and powerful count Wichman II van
Hamaland (Achterhoek), who ruled (952-973) and first married to Immed (d. ca.
983), who was either a Count or Noble from Utrecht, with whom she had 5 children.
After his death she continued to rule and made coins in her own name - it is not
clear if she did it in the function as regent for her son Dirk. Her father had
granted much of the family possessions to the Women's Chapter of Elten, where
her oldest sister Liutgard became the first Abbess.. In 973 the Emperor made it
an Abbey of the Realm, just as Quedlinburg, Essen en Gandersheim and it was
placed directly under the protection of the Emperor and it was granted immunity
from the jurisdiction of the count and local potentates. But Adela was
determined to make sure that her part of the inheritance did not also fall into
the hand of the church and she engaged in a fight with her sister and after her
death around 995 with the Chapter. Her marriage to Balderik (d. 1021) had the
purpose of getting back the part of her inheritance that had fallen to the Abbey.
And in 996 it did come to the redistribution of a large number of lands. But she
was not content. Just after the death of Otto III she and Balderik occupied the
territory of Elten for the second time, but had to leave it on the command of
Emperor Henrik II. She was blamed for the murder of Wichman van Vreden; one of
their most important opponents, her husband escaped and her castle was put under
siege. She was allowed to escape with her possessions before it was set on fire.
She lived (ca. 952 –after 1021)
Holland-Zeeland
993-1005 Dowager Countess Liudgard of Holland and Westfriesland
1061-63 Regent Dowager Countess Geertrui von Sachsen of Holland
(d. 1113) For Dirk V (1061-71 and 1076-91)
1120-22 Regent Dowager Countess Yolande de Geldre of Holland
1122-25 Regent Dowager Countess Petronella de Lorraine of Holland-Zeeland
Regent for son For Dirk VI 1122-57.
1190-1203 Politically Influential Countess
Aleid van Kleef
Also known as Adelheid von Kleve, she had a prominent position in the
administration of the County. She is the first Countess of Holland who was
always mentioned as gravin in stead of "wife" (uxor or coniunx) and very often
co-signed decrees with her husband, and her husband might have prepared her for
the role as regent of their three daughters. 1195 she commanded an army against
her brother-in-law, Willem, who attacked Holland. When her husband became
seriously ill in 1203 she married her youngest and only surviving daughter, Ada,
off to Count Lodewijk van Loon, hoping to exclude Willem as possible successor,
but instead a succession-war between her and Willem followed. She continued to
use the title of Countess of Holland, even after Willem had asumed the title in
1210. It is not known where she spend the last years of her life. (d. ca. 1238).
1203-05/08 Countess Regnant Ada of Holland-Zeeland
1258-63 Regent Dowager Countess Aleydis de Hainaut of Holland-Zeeland
1280-84 Regent of Hainaut (Belgium)
For nephew Floris V together for another nephew Henri III of Brabrant, who died
1261. Her son Jan II of Hainaut became count of Holland 1299 after having been
regent for Folris V's son Jan I (b. 1284-96-99). Aleydis died 1284.
1345-56 Countess Margareta d'Averness of Holland-Zeeland-Friesland and
Hainaut
Married to Ludwig IV von Bayern, Holy Roman Emperor.
She was
Vicar of Pisa from 1326. She lived (1311-56)
1389-? Regent Dowager Countess Margareta von Burg von Bayern of
Holland-Zeeland and Hainaut
Apparently daughter of Margareta d'Averness and Countess regnant in her own
right. Succeded by niece, Jacobäa. Margareta lived (1363-1414)
1417-20/33 Countess Regnant Jacobäa von Wttelsbach-Bayern of
Holland-Zeeland-Friesland and Hainault
In Hainault known as Jacqueline.
Mecheln
1334-36 Regent Margareta van Geldre
Orange/Oranje
1121-50 Countess Tiburge I
Also known as Tiburgel, she succeeded by son Raimbaud III
1160-80 Countess Tiburge II
Succeeded father Guillaume II and succeeded by great-aunt
1173-82 Countess Tiburge III
Succeeded the granddaughter of her brother Raimbaud III
1393-1417 Countess Marie de Baux
Married to Jean I de Chalons-Arlai (1393-1418).
1498-1521 Claudia de Chalon and Orange
1637-48 Stadtholder Countess Ursula von Solms-Braunfels of the Principality of
Orange
After the death of her husband, Christopher, Burgrave and Lord zu
Dohna-Schlobitten, she took over his post governor. She was daughter of Count
Johann Albrecht I von Solms-Braunfels in Braunfels and Gambit and Countess Agnes
zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. Ursula was succeded by her son, Friedrich (1621-48-60-88).
She and lived (1594-1657).
Ravenstein
Ca. 1191-1203 Sovereign
Baroness Sophie van Voeren-Montaigue
She reigned the small barony in the northeast of the Dutch province of Brabant,
on the left bank of the Maas jointly with Albert of Cuijk ca. 1191-1233.
Ca. 1315-27 Sovereign Baroness
Maria van Voeren-Montaigue
She reigned the small barony in the northeast of the Dutch province of Brabant,
on the left bank of the Maas jointly with Jan van Valkenburg-Cleves 1328-56.
Rechteren
1339-50 Sovereign Baroness
Luitgard
She succeeded Zweder I as head of the smallr Barony, until 1523 within the
Bishopric of Utrecht, then within Gelders.
Ecclesiastical Territory of Thorn
In the Provincie Limburg. The Abbey was founded 992 and the abbess became
Princess of the Empire probably in the 13th century. The territory was annexed
by France 1795.
Netherlands Ecclesiastical
Territory
Vianden, Ameiden and Utrecht
1677-1700 Burgravine Amalia von Dohna-Vianen, Sovereign Lady and Heiress of
Vianen and Ameiden, Hereditary Burgravine of Utrecht
The Suveräne Frau und Erbin von Vianden and Erbburggräfin von Uetrecht was
daughter of Christian Albrecht (1621-77) and Sophie Theodore von Brederode, all
of her five brothers predeceased her. She was married to Count Simon Heinrich
zur Lippe-Detmold (1649-99), mother of 15 chidlren and lived (1644-1700).
Zeeland
1234-35 Regent Dowager Countess Machteld van
Brabant of Zeeland bewester Schelde
1235-67 Reigning Dowager Lady of Monster, Maasland, Lier and Zoutevenen
After the death of her second husband, Floris IV, graaf van Holland (1210-34),
Countess Johanna of Flanders granted her Zeeland as a fief in the name of her
minor son, Willem. It was a politically tricky affair as the Counts of Holland
wanted to get rid of the overlordship of Flanders for Zeeland. Her
brother-in-law Willem became Regent of Holland and occupied her dowries in
Monster, Maasland, Lier and Zoutevenen, and in 1235 she gave up the regency in
exchange for her Dowries. In 1238 her other brother-in-law, Otto, bisjop-elect
of Utrecht took over the regency, but after her son came of age the following
year she remained influential, placed her seal on his first decrees and appeared
as witness on many of his later decrees. When he died at the age of 29 her other
son, Floris and dauther, Aleid van Holland, acted ars regent for her grandson,
Floris V (1254-96). She founded a number of religious institutions and convents
and gave rich gifts to others. She had first been married to Prince Palantine
Henrik II and had 5 or 6 children with her second husband. She lived (Ca.
1200–67).
Other Countesses and Dames
1117/18 Dame Yolante von Gelre van Dodersweerd en Dalen
Married to Badouin III of Flanderen-Hainault
1136-77 Reigning Baroness Mahilde van
Saffenberg of 'S-Hertogenrade
She followed Adolf (1109-36-58) as ruler of the small Barony largely within the
southern end of the Dutch panhandle extending south along the east bank of the
Maas River. The bulk of Baronial territory lies just west and north of the
German city of Aachen - a few tiny baronial districts lie within what is now
Germany. She married Henry II, Duke of Limburg, who was in charge of the Barony
until 1167.
1260-66 Countess Alix of Montfoort
1394-1445 Dame Johanna von Polanen with Breda-Geertruidenberg-Niervaard-Klundert en de Liek
1448-58 Countess Anna Egmond van Buren en Leerdam
Daughter of Count Maximiliaan van Egmond and Francoise de lannoy, Dame de Lannoy,
de Santes et de Trochiennes. Married to Prince Willem I van Oranje and lived
(ca. 1533-58)
1448-69 Lady Johanna von Loon zu Heinsberg of Heinsberg,
Geilenkirchen, Dalenbroich, Diest, Sichem and Zeelhem
Daughter of Johann IV von Loon, Herr zu Heinsberg and Johanna von Diest and
married to Johann II von Nassau-Saarbrücken (1423-72) and lived (1443-69).
1583-93 Countess Philippine of Montfoort
Other territorial, but non-reigning ladies (Vrouw)
Until 1621 Sibylla van Plettenberg, Hereditary Lady van Nienhuys, Ottersum, Oosterwelde and Goens
Until 1734 Egeria A.S. Pipperda, Lady van van Ottersum, Pappenburg and Oosterwelde
Until 1724 Sofia M. Reael, Free-Lady of
Vreeland etc.
She lived (1687-1724)
Until 1734 Egeria A.S. Pipperda, Lady van van Ottersum, Pappenburg and Oosterwelde
Until 1742 Cornelis P. de Boodt, Lady van
Giessenburg etc.
She lived (1712-42)
1763-1807 Charlotte A. Vlaerdingerwout, Lady
van Ween, Wijk and Aalburg
Sister of Cornelia, and lived (1728-1897)
Until 1763 Cornelia Vlaerdingerwout, Hereditary
Lady van Dixland
Died a few months before her father, and the title was inherited by her son.
Until 1776 Sara A. Des t Heilig Roomse Rijksbarones Hop,
Lady van de Lek Lekkerkerke and Zuidbroek.
Her daughter, Jonkvrouwe S.G.A. van Pabst (1774-1866), was Lady van Bingerden
and married Baron W.A.C.V.H. van Heeckeren, Lord of Ruurlo, Keel and Borculo
(1774/95-1847). She lived
(1743-76).
Until 1783 Christina F. des Heilig Roomse Rijksfreein
von der
Until 1790 Elisabeth van der Leek, Lady in Stavenisse
She was married to T. de Clercq (1740-1805), and lived (1734-90)
Until 1795 Anna des H.R. Rijksbarones van
Boetzelaen, Lady van Nieuwen
Daughter of M.E.D. de Jonge, Lady van Cranenbrouck and lived (1713-95).
From 1844 Adolphine W.A. der Wijck, Lady van
Warmond
Followed her aunt, Baroness van Pallant, Dowager van Leyden
1847/1866-? Jacoba Barones van Heeckeren, Lady van de Wierse
Daughter of Jonkvrouwe S.G.A. van Pabst (1774-1866), Lady van Bingerden and
Baron W.A.C.V.H. van Heeckeren, Lord of Ruurlo, Keel and Borculo (1774/95-1847).
Until 1879 Margaretha Spoors Eland, Lady in
Grijsoord and Klinkerland
She lived (1799-1879).
1879-1920 Margaretha M. Klunt, Lady in
Grijsoord and Klinkerland
She lived (1859-1920).
1920-51 dr.phil Johanna W.P. Drost, Lady in Grijsoord and Klinkerland
She lived (1887-1951).
After 1923 Jeanne A.L Barones Taets van
Amerongen, Lady van Reiswoude, Emmikhuizen and Deye
Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (b. 1923-).
1934-61 Levina A.C. van der Lek de Clercq,
Bandervrouwe in Hanamstede, Lady van Stavenisse, Zuidmoer, Oud- en Nieuw
Kempenshofstede.
She has three sisters, and lived (1885-1961).
1943-49 Aurelia Gravin van Limburg Sturm, Lady
van Noordwijkerhout
Followed her father, Leopold in the title, and lived (1875-1949).
From 1951 Mr. Margaretha M. Warning, Lady in
Grijsoord and Klinkerland
(b. 1921-)