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Adolf, Duke of Guelders

1438 – 1477

Duke of Guelders and Count of Zutphen

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About Adolf, Duke of Guelders

Lived 1438 – 1477 (aged 39). Adolf, Duke of Guelders was a German sovereign.

Adolf of Egmond (Grave, 12 February 1438 – Tournai, 27 June 1477) was a Duke of Guelders, Count of Zutphen from 1465 to 1471 and in 1477.

Life Adolf was the son of Arnold of Guelders and Catherine of Cleves. In the battle of succession for Guelders, he imprisoned in 1465 his own father and became duke with the support of Philip the Good, who also made him a knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece. In 1468, he won the Battle of Straelen against Cleves, but Charles the Bold reinstated his father Arnold, and Adolf was imprisoned in Hesdin.

After the death of Charles the Bold in 1477, Adolf was liberated by the Flemish. He died the same year at the head of a Flemish army besieging Tournai, after the States of Guelders had recognized him as duke. His body was buried in Tournai Cathedral.

Family and issue Adolf married Catherine of Bourbon (1440–1469), daughter of Charles I, Duke of Bourbon, in 1463. They had twin children : Philippa (1467–1547), married in 1485 René II, Duke of Lorraine (1451–1508) Charles (1467–1538), later Duke of Guelders, married in 1518 with Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1494–1572), daughter of Henry I of Lüneburg.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Also known as
Adolf van Egmond

Family & relationships

Spouse
Catharine of Bourbon
Parent
Arnold, Duke of Guelders
Parent
Catherine of Cleves (1417-1479)

People in Adolf, Duke of Guelders's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Adolf, Duke of Guelders's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Adolf, Duke of Guelders?

Duke of Guelders and Count of Zutphen (1438-1477)

When was Adolf, Duke of Guelders born?

Adolf, Duke of Guelders was born on 12 February 1438 in Grave.

When did Adolf, Duke of Guelders die?

Adolf, Duke of Guelders died on 27 June 1477 in Tournai.

What was Adolf, Duke of Guelders's occupation?

Adolf, Duke of Guelders was a sovereign.

What nationality was Adolf, Duke of Guelders?

Adolf, Duke of Guelders was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Adolf, Duke of Guelders

· Wikidata: Q153819

· DBpedia: Adolf, Duke of Guelders

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Adolf, Duke of Guelders. https://biography.guide/adolf-duke-of-guelders/

MLA: "Adolf, Duke of Guelders." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/adolf-duke-of-guelders/.

Chicago: "Adolf, Duke of Guelders." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/adolf-duke-of-guelders/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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