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Holland, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Westphalia 173 36 HOLLAND, UTRECHT, DORDRECHT, WESTPHALIA 120. HOLLAND, which is also a German country, is washed by the ocean on its northern edge; the rest of it is cut off by branches of the Rhine River, which form an island. It is marshy, rich in pasture, and interspersed with numerous lakes and inlets of the sea.412 Some say that the famous city of Utrecht is located in Holland. To me, it does not seem strange that Utrecht has at one time been attributed to Frisia, at another to Holland, since frontiers are often altered by the decrees of rulers. Indeed, in our time it is assigned to neither Frisia nor Holland. The bishopric of Utrecht is subordinate to the emperor alone and owns extensive land, which is hemmed in by various channels of the Rhine. The Frisians adjoin it in the east and the Westphalians in the south; Holland borders it in the north, and in the west, the duchy of Guelderland, of which I will speak in due course, is separated from it by the Rhine River. With downright ignorance, not to say mendacity, some have recently maintained that Utrecht is a city of the French nation, when the election of its bishop was under discussion.413 For how can we assign Utrecht to France when it is situated on the other side of two branches of the Rhine, and when it is agreed that even people who live this side of the Rhine, such as the inhabitants of Cologne and Cleves, are Germans ? Indeed, the location, the way of life, and the language of the people of Utrecht are clearly German.414 Utrecht is a rich and populous city, whose bishop leads forty 412. Reading sinibus (Urb. Lat. 885) for van Heck’s finibus. 413. Perhaps a reference to Philip of Burgundy forcing the city to accept his illegitimate son, David, as bishop of Utrecht in 1456, a year after he had persuaded Pope Nicholas V to appoint him. 414. Aeneas likely reflects the position of the imperial court, which questioned Burgundy’s claim to several areas, including Alsace and Lotharingia (Lorraine); see Nichol, Northern Lands, 34–40. 174 Holland, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Westphalia thousand soldiers to war whenever there is a pressing need. The men and women are extremely good-looking. They are protected from foreign invasion both by floodwaters and their own courage. Their national drink is beer, though wine is imported by merchants. 121. Many feuds occurred in this city within our memory, when one faction rejected the bishop that had been accepted by another .415 Desiderius once maintained peace within the diocese but was then expelled by the citizens and appealed to the Roman pontiff and neighboring rulers for assistance against his rebellious subjects.416 The citizens adopted a certain Diepholt417 as their prelate, contrary to civil and divine law. Pope Martin V pronounced anathema against them. But, since the stubborn people scorned the sword of excommunication, it was necessary to resort to warfare. Large forces belonging to the duke of Burgundy and neighboring rulers were directed against the people of Utrecht, but they fought without success. The victorious and defiant populace disregarded the commands of the church for seven years. When Desiderius died in exile, the canons, who on his account had been expelled from their country, chose Walram von Moers, the brother of the archbishop of Cologne, to succeed him as bishop.418 The case was discussed in the Council of Basel, and his election was confirmed. For a second time, the synod condemned the rebellion of the Utrechtians; for a second time a war was fought in vain. In the end, Jean, bishop of Conserans, who was later called to the honor of the cardinalate with the title of Thérouanne, was sent as a legate by Eugenius.419 415. Dating the reigns of bishops of Utrecht is complicated given the lack of clarity between an election, a claim, and residence as bishop; the following dates that are provided, therefore, may differ from those of other scholars. 416. Desiderius, or Zweder, von Cullenborch (d. 1439), bishop of Utrecht (r. 1425–33). 417. Rudolph of Diepholt, bishop of Utrecht (r. 1432–55). 418. Reading archiepiscopi (Urb. Lat. 885, Vat. Lat. 3888) for van Heck’s archiepiscopum . Walram von Moers, bishop of Münster (r. 1450–56), was the brother of the powerful Dietrich von Moers, elector and archbishop of Cologne (r. 1414–63). Walram fought unsuccessfully for this...

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