John I, Duke of Brittany
Duke of Brittany from 1221 to 1286
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John I (Breton: Yann, French: Jean; c. 1217/1218 – 8 October 1286), known as John the Red due to the colour of his beard, was Duke of Brittany from 1221 to his death and 2nd Earl of Richmond in 1268.
| John I | |
|---|---|
John represented on a window in Chartres Cathedral | |
| Duke of Brittany | |
| Reign | 21 October 1221 – 8 October 1286 |
| Predecessor | Peter I and Alix |
| Successor | John II |
| Regent | Peter I (1221–1237) |
| Earl of Richmond | |
| Reign | 1268 |
| Predecessor | Peter of Savoy |
| Successor | John II |
| Born | c. 1217/1218 |
| Died | 8 October 1286 Château de l'Isle |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Blanche of Navarre |
| Issue Among others | |
| House | Dreux |
| Father | Peter of Dreux |
| Mother | Alix, Duchess of Brittany |
John was the eldest of three children born to Duchess Alix and her husband and co-ruler, Duke Peter I.[1] He became duke upon his mother's death in 1221. His father, who had reigned as duke due to his marriage to Alix, ruled as regent until John reached adulthood.[2] In 1268, Henry III granted the earldom of Richmond to John,[3] and the title continued in his family, through frequent temporary forfeitures and reversions, until 1342.
He experienced a number of conflicts with the Bishop of Nantes and the Breton clergy. In 1240, he issued an edict expelling Jews from the duchy and cancelling all debts to them.[4] He joined Louis IX of France in the Eighth Crusade in 1270, and survived the plague that killed the king. The duchy of Brittany experienced a century of peace, beginning with John I and ending with Duke John III's reign in 1341.[5]
Marriage and issue
In 1236 John married Infanta Blanche, daughter of King Theobald I of Navarre.[6] They had the following surviving issue:
- John II, Duke of Brittany (1239–1305), married Beatrice of England and had issue.[7]
- Peter (1241–1268), Lord of Dinan, Hade, Léon, Hennebont and La Roche-Derrien.[7]
- Alix (1243–1288), Dame de Pontarcy; married John of Châtillon, Count of Blois.[7]
- Theobald (1245–1246), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
- Theobald (1247 – died young), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
- Eleanor (1248 – died young), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
- Nicolas (1249–1251), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
- Robert (1251–1259), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
.svg){kind=small}