Holstein was a northern German duchy under the Schauenburger dynasty, which also owned fiefs as far as southern Sweden. They could even influence the politics of nearby Denmark: 1326, king Christoffer II of Denmark was kicked out after he wanted to tax the nobles and the church; now Gerhard III of Holstein effectively ruled the country. 1331, he married countess Margarethe of Holland, Zeeland and Hennegau (in Wallonia) - preparing the eventual union with the Netherlands.