Everhard II

Beginning of Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

Everhard was involved as a knight in many armed engagements in the first half of the 14th century. The years from 1337 onwards are seen as the initial phase of the later so-called Hundred Years War. Since autumn 1336 there had been a lively exchange of messengers between the young English King Edward III (1310–1377) and continental princes. Through extensive promises to pay, the Englishman was able to sign an agreement with almost all of the great by the end of 1337. On May 26, 1337, Everhard of Limburg Hohenlimburg became a vassal of king Eduard III. Count Reinoud II of Gelre,“the Black” of Guelders, had married Edward's sister a few years earlier. He acted in the river Rhein region as a sort of subcontractor for his brother-in-law, to recruit nobles as vassals for Edward. On May 26 “Datum apud Westmonasterium vicesimo sexto Maii” he was ordered to pay Everhard of Limburg 100 small florins.

Diplomatic missions of King Edward in the Rhein region

From July 1338 Edward III undertook an important diplomatic and military missions on the continent, to obtain the French royal crown. Which he claimed as grandson of the French king. Accompanied by his representative court, on his way to the island of Niederwerth located downstream near Koblenz, he had taken the route from Antwerp via Jülich, Cologne, Bonn, Sinzig and Andernach. On his way he was accompanied by local knights through unfamiliar terrain. While staying in the city of Cologne the town provided a protective team for the night hours. Eduard was the guest of his brother-in-law Wilhelm von Jülich. From August 30 until September 7, 1338, the English royal court stayed in Koblenz. Six bishops and 37 counts, barons and knights also came there together. At the Reichstag in Koblenz in 1338 Emperor Ludwig IV appointed Edward III Imperial Vicar, but in April 1341 Ludwig the Bavarian took back the vicariate given to the Englishman.

Succession

Everhard II of Limburg Hohenlimburg died on November 11, 1344, before a very large plague epidemic (1348–1350) broke out in Western Europe. His father Diederik II his ensured that daughter-in-law Jutta, together with her young sons Diederik and Johan, were able to live at the Steynhus estate in Heyst near Essen., receiving 1/3 of the proceeds from their property in Brockhusen. Jutta died in 1380 at the age of more than 80 years old. In the meantime her son had succeeded as count Diederik III of Limburg Hohenlimburg and Broich, and Johan as Johan I lord of Limburg Hardenberg, a castle and lordship between the river Ruhr and the Wupper.

Marriage and offspring

Everhard II of Limburg Hohenlimburg and his wife Jutta of Sayn and had two sons Diederik and Johan.

Diederick ca. 1328 - 18 May 1401. Married on 3 July 1371 to Lukardis heiress of Broich. He became Count Diederick III of Limburg Hohenlimburg, lord of Broich. He was also Amtmann in Angermunde.

Johan ca. 1332 - July 4, 1410. Married Petronella of Lethmate. He became lord of Hardenberg, a lordship between Ruhr and Wupper and was co-owner of the castle Hohenlimburg.