Adela of Hamaland

Adela of Hamaland (also Adela of Elten) (952 – died after 1021), was countess of Hamaland in the Netherlands in about 973–1021. She was also the regent of Renkum in circa 983–?, likely as regent for her son Dirk of Renkum. Her claim on the inheritance of her father caused a conflict with her sister Liutgard of Elten, which lasted from 973 until 996. She first married Count Immed of Renkum (d. 983), the father of her son, and later Count Balderik of Hamaland, whom she made her co-regent by marriage. Life Adela was the daughter of Count Wichman II of Hamaland (d. 973) and Liutgard of Flanders (d. 962), daughter of Arnulf of Flanders and Adele of Vermandois. Adela was the younger sister of Liutgard (d. 995), who became the abbess of Elten Abbey, which was founded by their father. Adela's first husband was Count Immed of Renkum, a member of the Immedinger dynasty, with whom she had five children. Succession war At the death of their father in 973, the emperor made Elten Abbey a Princely Imperial Abbey and Liutgard was thereby given sovereign status as princess abbess of Elten. A succession war erupted between the sisters, as Adela claimed the county as sovereign Countess of Hamaland and Liutgard claimed all the county as Elten territory. Liutgard had her vassal Balderich attack and burn Adela's fortress down. In 983, Adela became a widow and regent of the county of Renkum as guardian of her minor son. She occupied the territory of Liutgard, but was forced by the emperor to end the occupation.