He was the son of William van Brederode and grandson of Dirk II van Brederode. His mother was Elisabeth of Cleves (also called "Elsbee"), a daughter of Diederik II of Cleves. Dirk III was officially named lord of Brederode in 1333 by William III, count of Holland. In 1350/51, during the Hook and Cod wars, Dirk supported the faction of Margaret of Bavaria, but was captured at the battle of Zwartewaal (also called the "battle on the Meuse"). He was later released in return for a monetary payment.