Background
He was the eldest son of John II (c 1324 – 1378), from his first marriage to Oda of Horne (1318-1353).
He was the eldest son of John II (c 1324 – 1378), from his first marriage to Oda of Horne (1318-1353).
The Lords of Polanen were a branch of the House of Wassenaer. He held extensive possessions besides the fief of Polanen. In 1353, his father inherited the extensive possessions of William of Duivenvoorde and in the same year, he purchased the Barony of Breda from the Duke of Brabant.
When John II died in 1378, John III inherited most of these possessions.
John III was married to Countess Oda of Salm-Ravenstein (1370-1428). Via this marriage, the House of Nassau inherited the Polanen possessions.
In his 1394 will, John III also mentioned three illegitimate children:
a son
January Grimhuysen, "Lord of the Leck". Oda of the Leck.
