Dirk III

Dirk III was the third count of Holland, ruling in the early 11th century. He significantly expanded the territory of Holland by conquering lands from the bishops of Utrecht. In 1018, he achieved a crucial victory against an imperial army at Vlaardingen, a fortification he had built to collect tolls on river traffic. This victory solidified his control over the region and established a precedent for the growing power of the counts of Holland. Under Dirk III and his descendants, Holland continued to expand, eventually reaching its final borders by the 13th century. The name "Holland" may have originated from the area around Dordrecht, known as Holtland, meaning "Wooden Land".1