The Land of Altena between the Maas and the Merwede, round Woudrichem and Almkerk, is held by its own lords from the castle of Altena; they appear among the count of Holland's men in 1167-1168.
Who he is
- Name
- Not pinned (Dirk of Altena witnessed the treaty of Bruges in 1167-1168)
- Title
- Lord of Altena
- Since
- Not pinned
- Born
- Not pinned
- Family
- A house of the Holland and Zeeland nobility.
- Confidence
- low
Not pinned for 1200.
Overlord
The count of Holland (the lords witness Holland's treaty of 1167-1168 among his men); not firmly pinned
What it holds
- The castle of Altena and the Land of Altena: Woudrichem, Almkerk, Andel, Giessen
How it was acquired
Hereditary.
Allies and rivals
Holland's men.
How things stand that morning
Held by its own lords under Holland; holder not pinned.
Wealth
River farms and fishing.
Military
Castle of Altena. No numbers are recorded.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Only the 1168 witness is in hand.
On the map: Rough.
Primary sources for Holland
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Egmond (12th century to about 1205). The house annals of Egmond, the counts of Holland's abbey, and the main native source for Holland around 1200. Read online
- Chronicle of the abbots of Wittewierum (Bloemhof), Emo of Wittewierum (from 1219 to 1237, continued by Menko to 1273). The chronicle opens only in 1204 with the founding of Emo's Premonstratensian house in the Groningen Ommelanden, so it has nothing for 1200 itself. Read online
Sources and studies
- J. Wagenaar, Vaderlandsche historie II, ch. XIX: treaty of Bruges 1167-1168 and its witnesses (DBNL)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.