Sycophants, traitors, murderers
(And the rest)
In early 1297 Count John of Holland landed at Zeeland to claim his inheritance. He was accompanied by some Hollander nobles, including Jan van Renesse, suspected of having a hand in the death of John's father, Floris V.
John also had some English support. The chronicle of William the Procurator (written c.1320) describes 'many English lords' arriving in Holland. How many is uncertain, and only two are named. These were Reginald Ferre, knight, and his clerk Richard de Havering. Before leaving England, John had sworn to appoint these two to his council.
As usual, there was all sorts going on. John had sworn the oath to appoint Ferre and Havering on 17th January, at Ipswich. On the same day Edward sent Ferre and Havering to Wolfert van Borsen, one of the biggest cheeses in Holland. Also on the same day, he sent a separate envoy to van Borsen, promising not to make peace with France until van Borsen's son was liberated from a French prison.
Shortly after landing in Zeeland, Count John swore to follow van Borsen's advice in everything. So, Edward I had secured the obligation of the man who controlled the young Count of Holland. Van Borsen, in turn, gained the power and influence he wanted, and the return of his son. Ker-ching, trebles all round!
John's concern was his kinsman, John d'Avesnes, Count of Hainaut. After the murder of Floris, Hainaut had made himself regent of Holland and Zeeland. The boy distrusted him, and for good reason: after the death of his siblings, John was the only thing standing between the Avesnes faction and control of Holland.
When Hainaut learned of his cousin's arrival, he went to Dordrecht and offered to meet John there. This, he said, was for the purpose of formally investing him with his possessions and estates.
John refused. Instead he replied that his cousin might, if he wished, come to meet him at Bridam in Zeeland. To guarantee his safety, Hainaut would be given a safe-conduct. However, he could bring no more than a hundred men.
This answer displeased the regent, who replied angrily that safeguards were for enemies, not friends. He added, not very diplomatically, that he was indifferent towards John, and they were neither friends nor foes.
Then Hainaut took aim at John's companion, Jan van Renesse. He said that he was sorry to see, at the very start of the reign, that John should become the tool of a sycophant, a traitor and murderer. His youth excused him (a bit), but he, the regent, would remember the movers of this business.
In short: up yours, you little bastard. And all the other bastards.
