Charles Rochussen: Countess Jacqueline of Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland, enters the conquered Gorinchem (1869)

(Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, The Netherlands)

This is a historical painting, the subject being a bit of Dutch history. In the 14th and 15th century there was a civil war in the county of Holland, the so-called Hook and Cod wars. The siege of Gorinchem (23 November -1 December 1417) was a part of the Arkelse wars which were a part of the Hook and Cod wars. The Land of Arkel was a small fief of the Counts of Holland, and was managed by the Lords of Arkel until 1412. In 1401 a war broke out between John V, Lord of Arkel and his master Albert I, Duke of Bavaria and Count of Holland which lasted until 1412. After John V was defeated, the lords of Arkel lost their lands and Arkel was annexed by Holland. The only son of John V, William Otto took advantage in 1417 when the count of Holland died. William Otto retook Gorinchem whcih used to be a part of their lands. The army of Holland counter-attacked by laying siege to Gorinchem. William Otto was killed in the following battle. The paintings shows body of the defeated William Otto, with the red and white shirt, being shown to the new Countess of Holland, Jacqueline (on horse with the white/ blue and golden dress. This painting is from 1869.