The Chronologia Johannes de Beke names (in order) "Florencium succedentem Hollandie principem, Ottonem de Benthem comitem, Balduinem pontificum, Theodricum antistitem, Peregrinum presidem, Sophiam abbatissam, Hadewigim sanctimonialem et Petronellam…domicellam" as the children of Count Dirk VI & his wife. "Thedricus Hollandensium comes…cum conjuge mea Sophia comitissa et filio nostro Florentio" exchanged property with Epternach by charter dated 1156. The Annales Egmundani name "Florentius filius eius [=Theodericus comes filius Florentii crassi comitis]" when recording that he succeeded his father.
He succeeded his father in 1157 as FLORIS III Count of Holland. He made peace with the West-Friesians in 1161. "Florentius tertius…comes Hollandie" donated the church of Vlaardingen, held by "patris mei Theoderici", to Egmond abbey by charter dated 28 Aug 1162, the dating clause of which refers to "anno primo…matrimonii nostri quo sororem regis Scotie Ade duxit uxorem".
He was created Earl of Ross in 1162 by his brother-in-law Malcolm IV King of Scotland, but the earldom was withdrawn from him. He was imprisoned in Flanders 1167 during a struggle over Zeeland. In 1176 he supported Emperor Friedrich “Barbarossa” in the battle of Legnano, and was rewarded with the imperial toll-post at Geervliet.
He took part in the Third Crusade 1189, on which he died. The Chronologia Johannes de Beke records the death "1190 Kal Aug…in Antiochia" of Count Floris III and his burial in "basilica sancti Petri". Beke's Egmondsch Necrologium records the death "1190 Kal Aug" of "Florencius 3 comes Hollandie" at Antioch. 1
Research Notes: