Floris van Wevelinkhoven descended from high nobility, and started his career in the Bishopric of Cologne, where he climbed to the position of vicedeacon of the cathedral chapter in 1356.
Despite his advanced age at his accession (c. 50), Floris showed himself to be an able and powerful ruler, good organiser and diplomat, and he secured the support of his subjects.
Once firmly established, Floris dealt with the unruly knights in the Sticht with support from the cities and chapters, and this way enlarged his authority.
His predecessor Arnold van Hoorn had been forced to lease a lot of castles as a result of high debts, but Floris managed to take them back by arms.
Later, however, he favored the monasteries of the Modern Devotion, such as the Congregation of Windesheim Floris van Wevelinkhoven is buried in the Dom Church.