Ada van Holland (1188-1223)

Ada was the first reigning countess of Holland between 1203 and 1207.

She was the only surviving daughter of Dirk VII, Count of Holland and his wife Adelaide of Cleves. She succeeded her father as Countess in her own right. She immediately had to deal with her uncle William, who claimed Holland for his own. Ada married Louis II, count of Loon to strengthen her position.

Ada was quickly captured by the supporters of William and taken prisoner in the citadel of Leiden. Afterwards she was taken to the Kingdom of England. William had to accept Louis and Ada as count and countess at a treaty of Brugge in 1206. Louis managed to get Ada free in 1207, but she had to accept the loss of her county. Ada and Louis didn't keep their promise and continued the fight.

The civil war in Holland became part of a major international war between on one side France and the Hohenstaufen dynasty and on the other side England and the Welfs. William could get Holland through good maneuvering between both sides. Louis and Ada had to give up their claims. Ada remained childless.