John I, Count of La Marche facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John of Bourbon
Count of La Marche
John I and Catherine
Coat of arms
Born	1344
Died	11 June 1393 (aged 48-49)
Noble family	House of Bourbon
Spouse(s)	Catherine of Vendôme
Issue	James II, Count of La Marche Isabelle Louis, Count of Vendôme John, Lord of Carency Anne, Countess of Montpensier Marie, Lady of Brehencourt Charlotte, Queen of Cyprus
Father	James I, Count of La Marche
Mother	Jeanne of Châtillon

John of Bourbon (born 1344 – died June 11, 1393, in Vendôme) was an important French nobleman. He was also known as John I or John VII, and he held the titles of Count of La Marche and Count of Vendôme. John was the second son of James I, Count of La Marche, and Jeanne of Châtillon. His family, the House of Bourbon, was a very powerful and royal family in France.

John's Early Life and Adventures

John had an adventurous start to his life. When he was a young man, he was captured during a big battle called the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. Luckily, his family was able to pay money to get him back, which is called being "ransomed."

After this, sad news came. Both his father and his older brother died in another battle, the Battle of Brignais. Because of this, John became the new Count of La Marche. This meant he was in charge of a large area of land and its people.

John's Role in the Hundred Years' War

John played a big part in the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between France and England. He was a skilled leader and fighter.

Becoming Governor of Limousin

John helped France take back the region of Limousin from the English. Because of his success, he was made the Governor of Limousin. This was a very important job, showing how much the king trusted him.

Campaigns with Bertrand du Guesclin

Later, John joined forces with a famous French military leader named Bertrand du Guesclin. Together, they went on a military campaign in 1366 to Castile, which is in modern-day Spain.

New Titles as Count of Vendôme

In 1374, John's wife's brother, Bouchard VII, Count of Vendôme, passed away. This meant that John, through his wife, became the Count of Vendôme and also the Count of Castres. These new titles gave him even more land and power.

Fighting in Flanders and Brittany

John continued to fight for France. He joined the French King Charles VI in a campaign in 1382 in Flanders. This campaign ended with a major battle called the Battle of Roosebeke. He also fought in Brittany in 1392, helping France in its ongoing wars.

Building and Repairing Castles

Besides fighting, John also focused on rebuilding important structures. He helped to repair and improve the castles in Vendôme and Lavardin. These castles were important for protecting the land and its people.

John's Family Life

On September 28, 1364, John married Catherine of Vendôme. Catherine was also a countess, and she brought the titles of Vendôme and Castres into their family. They had seven children together.

John and Catherine's Children

• James II, Count of La Marche (1370–1438): He later became the Count of La Marche and Castres, just like his father.
• Isabelle (born 1373): She became a nun at a place called Poissy.
• Louis, Count of Vendôme (1376–1446): He became the Count of Vendôme.
• John, Lord of Carency (1378–1457): He was known as the Lord of Carency.
• Anne (around 1380 – September 1408): She married two important noblemen during her life.
• Marie (1386 – after September 11, 1463): She was known as the Lady of Brehencourt.
• Charlotte (1388 – January 15, 1422): She married King Janus of Cyprus and became the Queen of Cyprus.