TheCounty of Zeeland(Dutch:Graafschap Zeeland) was acountyof theHoly Roman Empirein theLow Countriesand it later became one of the seven provinces of theDutch Republic.It covered an area in theScheldtandMeusedelta roughly corresponding to the modernDutch provinceofZeeland.The County of Zeeland did not include the region ofZeelandic Flanderswhich was part ofFlanders;conversely, the modern Province of Zeeland does not includeSommelsdijk,historically part of the County of Zeeland.
County of Zeeland Graafschap Zeeland(Dutch) | |||||||||
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| 1012–1795 | |||||||||
 Coat of arms
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 The County of Zeeland around 1350. | |||||||||
| Status | Stateof theHoly Roman Empire(until 1581/1648) Province of theDutch Republic(1581/1648-1795/) | ||||||||
| Capital | Middelburg | ||||||||
| Common languages | Dutch | ||||||||
| Religion | |||||||||
| Government | Feudal monarchy | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages,Renaissance,Modern | ||||||||
• Established | 1012 | ||||||||
• Held byHolland | 1323 | ||||||||
• ToBurgundy | 1432 | ||||||||
• JoinedBurgundian Circle | 1512 | ||||||||
• Part ofDutch Republic | 1581 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1795 | ||||||||
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History
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Historically the area was often under the influence of its stronger neighbors, theCounty of Holland,theCounty of Hainautand theCounty of Flanders.In 1012 EmperorHenry II the Saintenfeoffed theFrenchcountBaldwin IV of Flanderswith Zeeland after which both counties were ruled inpersonal union,contested by northern Holland from the beginning. In 1167 a war broke out between the counties, after which CountFloris III of Hollandhad to acknowledge the overlordship of CountPhilip of Flandersin Zeeland. CountFloris IV of Holland(1222-1234) reconquered Zeeland, which from the accession of CountFloris V,the son ofWilliam II of Holland,in 1256 was ruled in personal union by Holland.
By the 1323Treaty of Parisbetween Flanders and Hainaut-Holland, the Count of Flanders reneged from claims on Zeeland and recognized the count of Holland as Count of Zeeland. Nevertheless, Zeeland remained a separate administrative unit, which in turn was under the administration of the counts of Holland. In 1432 it was annexed by theBurgundiandukePhilip the Goodand became part of theBurgundian Netherlands.After the death ofMary of Burgundyin 1482, Zeeland according to theTreaty of Senliswas one of theSeventeen Provincesheld by theHouse of Habsburg,which in 1512 joined theBurgundian Circle.
After theEighty Years' War,Zeeland was one of the United Provinces of theDutch Republicestablished in 1581. Both before and after Dutch independence Zeeland shared some institutions with theStates of Holland and West Friesland,such as the supreme court, the Supreme Council of Holland, Zeeland and West-Friesland, after the northern provinces had removed themselves from imperial authority and the jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Mechelen.
After establishment of theStates-General of the Netherlandsin 1583,Middelburginitially became the place of assembly. From 1585 on they were held inThe Hague.As a (theoretically) independent (part) state the county Zealand ceased to exist under theBatavian Republicin 1795, when it became a département. Together withZeelandic Flandersit today forms the province of Zeeland.
Rulers of Zeeland
edit| Counts of Flanders | 1012–1167 | |
| Condominiumof the Counts of Flanders and Holland | 1167–1256 | |
| Counts of Holland and Zeeland | 1256–1572 | |
| States of Zeeland | 1572–1795 |
Cities in the County of Zeeland
editVoting cities, in order of importance:
- Middelburg(1217)
- Zierikzee(1248)
- Reimerswaal(1374) until 1574 voting in the States of Zeeland,
- Goes(1405)
- Tholen(1366)
- Vlissingen(1315) voting in the States of Zeeland from 1574 on
- Veere(1355) voting in the States of Zeeland from 1574 on
Small Towns (no seat in the States of Zeeland):
- Arnemuiden(1574)
- Brouwershaven(1477)
- Domburg(1223)
- Kortgene(1431)
- Sint Maartensdijk(1491)
- Westkapelle(1223)