Margaret II of Hainaut

Margaret II of Avesnes (1311–1356), daughter of Count William I of Hainaut, married Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria in 1324 and was crowned Holy Roman Empress in Rome in 1328. When her brother William II fell at Warns in 1345, Louis declared Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland his wife's possessions, and she won over their doubtful towns with economic privileges.

After seven months she was called back to Germany, and when Louis died in 1347 she resigned her lands to her son William for an allowance. He withheld it, she took back her rights in 1350, and the Hook and Cod wars began between her supporters and his.

Edward III won a naval battle for her off Veere in 1351, but weeks later her side was crushed at Vlaardingen. In 1354 she settled, keeping Hainaut for life, and on her death in 1356 William inherited the whole.