She became ruler of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut at 16 years old. Jacoba faced people who wanted to control her land (even her husband betrayed her), leading to conflicts and even getting her into prison. But she kept on fighting for her rights and the well-being of her people. She escaped prison dressed a man. Because of this and and the hard resistance Jacoba gave against the duke from Bourgondië in the war which started in 1425 (fourteen hundred twenty five) a lot of mythes started about her. She is also seen as a hero. By example the story off being a heroic resistance fighter (however she did not fight herself).
She had an interesting life story with her 4 marriages and fighting for her rights and land. Especially because she was a woman, this was very special! She was the last in a long line of independent monarchs of Hainaut, Holland and Zeeland. After her reign, the three counties fell into Burgundian hands. When Philip De Goede also got government over Brabant and Limburg in 1430, a political union in the Netherlands was a fact. This is why this is still important for us now.
One lesson we learn from her is that we can never give up!