ost important conflict of the time was between the Lords van Amstel and the Counts of the province of Holland. The latter were backed by the Bishop of Utrecht, who technically held power over the future Republic. In approximately 1275, Floris V (the Count of Holland) granted the Freedom Charter, from his court in Den Haag. This stated that Amstelledam residents were exempt from paying tolls when shipping their goods through Holland county. The Charter is the city‘s oldest surviving document This would later play an important role in making the city an important economic power.
             In 1300, `Amstelredam‘, as it had become, was granted city status by the Bishop of Utrecht. Haarlem, Delft, and Leiden also recieved formal consolidation. Amstelredam fortified itself against the two most common nedieval threats: floods and enemies.
             The 14th century saw a gradual development of trade in Amsterdam. Dykes and weirs were modified to accommodate shipping and population gro
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