John III, Duke of Cleves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John III |
|
|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
| John depicted in Johann III with the Virgin and Child | |
| Spouse |
Maria of Jülich-Berg
(m. 1509) |
| Issue | |
|
|
| Noble family | La Marck |
| Father | John II, Duke of Cleves |
| Mother | Mathilde of Hesse |
| Born | 10 November 1490 Deggendorf, Germany |
| Died | 6 February 1539
(aged 48) |
John III, Duke of Cleves and Count of Mark (born 10 November 1490 – died 6 February 1539) was an important ruler in Germany. He was also known as John the Peaceful. He founded a large territory called the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. This area included several smaller lands like Cleves, Mark, Jülich, Berg, and Ravensberg.
John's Life and Rule
John was born on 10 November 1490. His father was John II, Duke of Cleves, and his mother was Mathilde of Hesse. When he was 19, in 1510, John married Duchess Maria of Jülich-Berg. Maria was the daughter of Duke William IV. She was also the only heir to her father's lands. This meant she would inherit Jülich, Berg, and Ravensberg.
In 1521, John became the ruler of the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. He also became Lord of Ravensberg in 1528. During his time, Europe was going through big changes because of the Protestant Reformation. This was a time when new Christian churches were forming. John tried to find a middle ground between the old and new ways of thinking. He wanted peace.
Many people at John's court were friends with Erasmus. Erasmus was a famous Dutch thinker and writer. In 1532, John created new rules for the church in his lands. These rules included many of Erasmus's ideas.
John was also good at making alliances. He arranged for his oldest daughter, Sybille, to marry John Frederick. John Frederick later led a group of Protestant princes called the Schmalkaldic League. John's court was a good place for his daughters to grow up. It was open-minded, serious, and focused on learning. His daughter Anne was raised here. Anne later became the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England.
John's Family
La Marck
Cleves
John and his wife, Duchess Maria of Jülich-Berg, had four children:
- Sybille (born 17 January 1512 – died 21 February 1554). She married Elector John Frederick of Saxony. He was a leader of the Protestant movement in Germany. They had children.
- Anne (born 28 June 1515 – died 16 July 1557). She was briefly married to King Henry VIII of England. Their marriage was later ended. She had no children.
- William (born 28 July 1516 – died 5 January 1592). He married Archduchess Maria. She was the daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I. They had children.
- Amalia (born 17 October 1517 – died 1 March 1586). She became a princess of the House of La Marck.
See also
In Spanish: Juan III de Cléveris para niños
