Margaret II of Avesnes vs Umar II

Umar II leads by 17.8 pts · 2 figures compared

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Margaret II of Avesnes

Emperor · Medieval

38.1Total

Umar II

Emperor · Medieval

55.9Total

Basic Information

Born

1311

682

Died

1356

720

Era

Medieval

Nationality

Hainaut

Umayyad Caliphate

Occupation

Emperor

Civilization

Western

Middle Eastern

Score Comparison

Military (10%)

20.0

10.2

Political (20%)

29.3

78.0

Influence (20%)

46.3

62.0

Legacy (20%)

37.5

56.0

Leadership (15%)

41.5

71.0

Strategy (15%)

45.0

30.3

TOTAL

38.1

55.9

Margaret II of Avesnes — Complete Timeline

1345 AD

Inherited Counties of Hainaut, Holland, and ZeelandPolitical Action◆ Major

Margaret II inherited the counties of Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland after the death of her brother William II at the Battle of Warns. She became the last Avesnes ruler of these territories.

InheritanceAvesnesHainaut

Impact: regional

1350 AD

Conflict with the Wittelsbachs over HollandWar◆ Major

Margaret II fought a war against her son William I of Bavaria (Wittelsbach) for control of Holland and Zeeland. The conflict ended with the Treaty of 1354, where she ceded these territories to William.

WarWittelsbachSuccession

Impact: regionaldestructive

1354 AD

Ceded Holland and Zeeland to the WittelsbachsPolitical Action◆ Major

Margaret II of Avesnes, Countess of Hainaut, ceded the counties of Holland and Zeeland to her son William I of Bavaria (Wittelsbach) after a period of conflict. This transfer ended Avesnes rule in Holland and Zeeland.

CessionWittelsbachHolland

Impact: regionaldestructive

Umar II — Complete Timeline

717 AD

Accession as CaliphPolitical Action◆ Major

Umar II became the Umayyad caliph after the death of Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik. He is often considered the fifth 'Rashidun' (rightly guided) caliph due to his piety and reforms.

SuccessionCaliphate

Impact: global

718 AD

Withdrawal from the Siege of ConstantinopleWar◆ Major

Umar II ordered the withdrawal of Umayyad forces from the prolonged siege of Constantinople, which had failed to capture the city. This ended a major military campaign and saved resources.

SiegeConstantinopleWithdrawal

Impact: regional

Reforms in taxation and justiceReform◆ Major

Umar II implemented reforms that equalized tax treatment between Arab Muslims and non-Arab converts (mawali), abolished discriminatory taxes, and ensured fairer administration of justice. These reforms reduced social tensions.

Tax ReformJusticeEquality

Impact: globalprogressive

720 AD

Death and short reignOther

Umar II died after a reign of only three years, possibly poisoned. His short tenure was marked by significant reforms, and he was later remembered as a model of Islamic piety and justice.

DeathReignPiety

Impact: globaltragic

Expert Analysis

Origins

Margaret II of Avesnes was born in 1311 as the daughter of William I of Hainaut and Joan of Valois. She inherited the counties of Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland in 1345 after her brother William II died at the Battle of Warns. Her family, the House of Avesnes, had controlled these territories for decades, but Margaret faced immediate challenges as a female ruler in a medieval feudal system. Umar II, born in 682 CE (63 AH), was a member of the Umayyad dynasty, the son of Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan and a descendant of Umar ibn al-Khattab. He grew up in Medina, where he was influenced by pious scholars and developed a reputation for religious devotion. His family background placed him at the center of power, yet his upbringing set him apart from other Umayyad princes.

Rise to Power

Margaret II's rise was sudden and contested. Upon inheriting the counties in 1345, she faced opposition from the Wittelsbach family, to whom her sister had married. Her son William I of Bavaria (Wittelsbach) claimed Holland and Zeeland, leading to a war that lasted from 1350 to 1354. The conflict ended with the Treaty of 1354, by which Margaret ceded Holland and Zeeland to William while retaining Hainaut. This political settlement allowed her to rule Hainaut until her death in 1356. Umar II became caliph in 717 CE (99 AH) after the death of his cousin Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik. His accession was unexpected; Sulayman had initially designated another successor but changed his mind on his deathbed. Umar's reputation for piety and justice preceded him, and he quickly set about reforming the caliphate. His rise was peaceful, but his authority was limited by the entrenched interests of the Umayyad elite.

Leadership & Governance

Margaret II's leadership was defined by negotiation and concession. Her political score of 29.3 reflects her struggle to maintain power. She governed Hainaut through traditional feudal mechanisms, relying on noble support. Her major decision was to cede Holland and Zeeland to her son to end the war, a pragmatic move that preserved her rule in Hainaut but reduced her territories. She did not initiate major reforms or institutional changes. Umar II, with a leadership score of 71.0 and political score of 78.0, implemented sweeping reforms. He equalized tax treatment between Arab Muslims and non-Arab converts (mawali), abolished discriminatory taxes like the jizya for converts, and ensured fair administration of justice. He also ordered the withdrawal from the prolonged Siege of Constantinople in 718 CE, ending a costly military campaign. His governance was centered on justice and equality, earning him the title of the fifth 'Rashidun' (rightly guided) caliph.

Triumph & Tragedy

Margaret II's greatest success was maintaining her rule in Hainaut despite losing Holland and Zeeland. She navigated a difficult political situation and died as countess. Her tragedy was the loss of two of her three counties to her own son, a failure that diminished her power and legacy. Her military score of 20.0 underscores her inability to defend her territories by force. Umar II's triumph was his successful reform program, which improved the status of non-Arab Muslims and reduced corruption. His greatest failure was the brevity of his reign—only three years—which limited the depth of his reforms. He died in 720 CE, possibly poisoned, and many of his policies were reversed by his successors. His strategy score of 30.3 indicates a lack of military ambition, but his political and leadership scores highlight his moral authority.

Character & Destiny

Margaret II was pragmatic and willing to compromise to retain power. Her decision to cede territories shows a focus on survival rather than expansion. Her character was shaped by the realities of medieval politics, where female rulers often had to rely on male relatives. Her destiny was to be a transitional figure, overshadowed by the Wittelsbachs. Umar II was deeply pious and reform-minded, often at odds with the Umayyad establishment. His character was marked by integrity and a commitment to Islamic principles. His destiny was to be remembered as a saintly figure, but his short reign prevented lasting institutional change. Historians note that his reforms were ahead of their time and faced resistance from the ruling class.

Legacy

Margaret II's legacy is minor. She is remembered primarily for ceding Holland and Zeeland, which strengthened the Wittelsbach dynasty. Her influence score of 46.3 and legacy score of 37.5 reflect her limited long-term impact. She is not a major figure in European history. Umar II's legacy is significant in Islamic history. He is revered as a model of just rule and is often compared to the first four caliphs. His reforms influenced later Islamic governance, and his reputation for piety endured. His influence score of 62.0 and legacy score of 56.0 are higher than Margaret's, reflecting his lasting moral authority.

Conclusion

Umar II had a greater impact than Margaret II of Avesnes. His total score of 55.9 versus her 38.1 reflects this disparity. While Margaret's actions affected only a small region for a short time, Umar's reforms set a standard for Islamic governance that resonated for centuries. Margaret's pragmatic cession of territories was a political necessity, but Umar's principled reforms were a moral achievement. Umar II's influence on religious and legal thought far outweighs Margaret II's feudal maneuvering. The clear position is that Umar II's impact was more profound and enduring.

Rankings

🥇

Umar IILeader

Mil: 10.2Pol: 78.0Inf: 62.0

55.9

🥈

Margaret II of Avesnes

Mil: 20.0Pol: 29.3Inf: 46.3

38.1

+17.8 behind

How This Comparison Works

Algorithm

Each figure is scored on 6 dimensions (0—100 scale) based on structured historical data: Military (10%), Political (20%), Influence (20%), Legacy (20%), Leadership (15%), Strategy (15%). The weighted total produces the final ranking.

Data Sources

Scores are computed from structured sub-indicators in the database. Scale factors adjust for era (Ancient ×0.85, Modern ×1.0) and civilization size (Eastern ×1.05, Other ×0.80) to account for differences in population and military scale.

Maximum 3 Figures

Comparisons are limited to 2—3 figures to ensure readability and statistical meaningfulness.

Error Margins

±5 points per dimension — Sub-scores are derived from historical records with inherent uncertainty. Two figures within 5 points on a dimension should be considered roughly equivalent in that area.

Total Score Accuracy

±3 points overall — The weighted combination of 6 dimensions produces a total score with approximately ±3 points of uncertainty. Differences of less than 3 points are not statistically significant— the figures are effectively tied.

Known Limitations

Historical records are incomplete and uneven across civilizations
Figures from oral-tradition societies may be underrepresented
Occupation labels can misclassify multi-role figures
Scores measure capability and impact, not moral character
Quantitative scoring is a comparison tool, not absolute truth

View full scoring methodology →|Disclaimer & limitations →

Capability Radar

Military (10%) — Battles & Warfare

Battles

Win Rate

Expansion

Political (20%) — Governance & Reform

Reform

Diplomacy

Economy

Influence (20%) — Cultural & Global Reach

Cultural

Global

Legacy (20%) — Historical Impact

Historical

Longevity

Leadership (15%) — Power & Stability

Tenure

Stability

Strategy (15%) — Tactics & Innovation

Strategy

Tactics