Arnold was born in Egmond-Binnen, North Holland, the son of John II of Egmond and Maria van Arkel.

Arnold was betrothed, and afterwards united in marriage to Catherine of Cleves, a niece of Philip of Burgundy.

Arnold gave up his claim on Jülich only after his defeat in 1444 by Gerhard VII, Duke of Jülich-Berg.

[3] When Charles the Bold became Duke of Burgundy in 1467, after rejecting a compromise, Adolph was thrown into prison.

Arnold, against the will of the towns and the law of the land, pledged his duchy to Charles for 300,000 Rhenish florins (1471).