Due to a civil war in the Holy Roman Empire, Emperor Henry VI had to find ways to make friends.

Henry also gave Holland the Grote Waard (Dordrecht and its surroundings), at the cost of the bishopric of Utrecht.

He also set aside the Salic law for the succession to the County of Holland, which meant that it could be inherited by a female heir.

The Hohenstaufens were losing the civil war, so Count Dirk changed sides and gave his allegiance to the Welfs.

[2] In 1186 Dirk married Adelaide, a daughter of Count Dietrich II of Cleves and Ida of Louvain.