William II, Count of Holland, King of Germany (b. 1227)

William II (February 1227 – 28 January 1256), a pivotal figure in 13th-century European history, was a scion of the House of Holland, best known for his dual roles as the Count of Holland and Zeeland and, later, as the King of Germany during a turbulent period.

Early Life and Countship of Holland and Zeeland

Born in February 1227, William II inherited the titles of Count of Holland and Zeeland at the remarkably young age of seven, following the untimely death of his father, Floris IV, in 1234. His early rule as count was guided by regents, as was common for minor rulers of the era. Holland and Zeeland, strategically located coastal territories, were increasingly important for trade and regional power dynamics within the Holy Roman Empire. As he matured, William actively engaged in the governance of his counties, focusing on internal administration and asserting his authority, particularly against the fiercely independent West Frisians in the northern parts of his domain, a struggle that would ultimately play a significant role in his destiny.

Election as Anti-King of Germany

William II’s ascension to a higher political stage began in 1248 when he was elected anti-king of Germany. This designation is crucial for understanding the political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire at the time. The Empire was embroiled in a protracted and bitter conflict, often referred to as the Great Interregnum (1245-1273), between the Papacy and the ruling Hohenstaufen dynasty, particularly Emperor Frederick II. The Pope, Innocent IV, sought to undermine Frederick’s authority by promoting rival candidates. After the initial anti-king, Henry Raspe, Landgrave of Thuringia, died in 1247, the Papal faction, primarily composed of the powerful Rhenish Archbishops (the Archbishops of Cologne, Mainz, and Trier), chose William II. His election in October 1248, despite his relative youth and limited territorial power within the wider Empire, was largely due to his family’s loyalty to the Pope and his own perceived pliability. He was crowned in Aachen, a symbolically significant imperial city, only after a prolonged siege in 1248, illustrating the contested nature of his claim.

Rule as Sole King and Tragic End

William’s position shifted significantly after the death of Emperor Frederick II in 1250, and more decisively, after the death of Frederick’s son and successor, Conrad IV, in 1254. With Conrad IV's demise, William II became, in effect, the sole recognized king by the Papal faction, removing his primary Hohenstaufen rival. However, even as "sole king" from 1254 onwards, his reign remained challenged. He struggled to consolidate power across the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, facing resistance from various powerful princes who often prioritized their own territorial interests over imperial unity. Despite these challenges, he made efforts to assert imperial authority, for instance, by attempting to reconcile with some of the more neutral princes and cities.

William II's life came to a tragic and premature end on 28 January 1256. While campaigning against the rebellious West Frisians – the same group he struggled with as Count of Holland – he was ambushed. During a reconnaissance mission near Hoogwoud, his horse fell through the ice of a frozen lake or fen. Trapped and incapacitated, he was reportedly recognized by the Frisians and subsequently killed. His body was initially hidden by the Frisians, and it was not recovered until 1282 by his son Floris V. His death plunged the Holy Roman Empire further into the chaotic period of the Great Interregnum, which would only formally conclude with the election of Rudolf I of Germany in 1273, marking the end of the "kingless" period.