On June 5, 1288, the forces of John I, Duke of Brabant, defeated the armies of the Archbishop of Cologne and the Duchy of Guelders at the Battle of Worringen. This battle was one of the largest in medieval Europe and effectively decided the War of the Limburg Succession. The victory secured Brabant's possession of the Duchy of Limburg, significantly altering the balance of power in the Rhineland.

The Battle of Worringen was a major event in German and Dutch history, inspiring numerous chronicles and ballads that celebrated the victory of Duke John I. The battle was also recorded in the rhyming chronicle of Jan van Heelu, which provides a detailed eyewitness account of the conflict. This event became a staple of regional folklore and literature, contributing to the development of the heroic epic tradition in the Low Countries.