He pledged his loyalty to the bishop of Utrecht as his father had done before him, but he nonetheless desired to expand his territory.
Van Woerden took part in the conspiracy to kidnap Floris V, Count of Holland.
Together with Gerard van Velzen and Gijsbrecht IV of Amstel he imprisoned the count in the Muiderslot after capturing him by setting up a fake Falconry hunt.
When Floris attempted to escape, Van Velzen killed him with a dagger.
Van Woerden fled and just like Gijsbrecht managed to reach Amstel, from where he went into Exile.