John III, Duke of Brittany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John III |
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The funeral of John III
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| Duke of Brittany | |
| Reign | 27 August 1312 – 30 April 1341 |
| Predecessor | Arthur II |
| Successor | disputed between: John of Montfort and Joanna with Charles I |
| Born | 8 March 1286 Château de Champtoceaux |
| Died | 30 April 1341 (aged 55) Caen |
| Burial | Notre-Dame des Carmes |
| Spouse |
Isabella of Valois
(m. 1297; died 1309) |
| House | Dreux |
| Father | Arthur II, Duke of Brittany |
| Mother | Marie, Viscountess of Limoges |
John III the Good (born March 8, 1286 – died April 30, 1341) was an important ruler in France. He was the Duke of Brittany from 1312 until his death. He was also the 5th Earl of Richmond starting in 1334.
John III was the son of Arthur II, Duke of Brittany. His mother was Marie, Viscountess of Limoges. John did not get along with his father's second wife, Yolande. He even tried to say their marriage was not legal.
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John III's Marriages
John III was married three times during his life. However, he never had any children. This became a big problem for who would rule Brittany after him.
First Marriage
In 1297, John married Isabella of Valois. She was the oldest child of Charles, Count of Valois. John was eleven years old, and Isabella was five. Isabella died in 1309, and they had no children.
Second Marriage
In 1310, John married his second wife, Isabella of Castile. She also died without having any children in 1328.
Third Marriage
John married his third wife, Joan of Savoy, in 1329. John died three years later, in 1341. He still had no children.
The Fight for Brittany's Throne
Because John III had no children, there was a big problem about who would become the next Duke of Brittany.
Who Should Rule?
John did not want his half-brother, John of Montfort, to become duke. John of Montfort was the son of John III's stepmother, Yolande. John III disliked Yolande very much. John III wanted to give the Duchy of Brittany to King Philip VI of France. But John's nobles (important people in his land) did not agree with this idea.
A New Claim
John III's niece, Joanna of Dreux, married a man named Charles of Blois. This marriage gave Charles a good reason to claim the duchy. But the problem was not solved when John III died.
The Breton War of Succession
After John III died, John of Montfort said he was the rightful Duke of Brittany. But King Philip VI of France supported Charles of Blois. This disagreement started a long war called the Breton War of Succession. The war lasted from 1341 to 1364.
A Part of the Hundred Years' War
The Breton War was a civil war within Brittany. It was fought between two main families: the House of Blois and the House of Montfort. This war also became a part of the bigger Hundred Years' War. England supported the Montfort family. France supported the Blois family. In the end, the Montfort family won the war.
Arms
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This was the coat of arms used by the Duke until 1316.
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In 1316, John simplified his coat of arms. It became a plain ermine design. This design is still the symbol of Brittany today.
See also
In Spanish: Juan III de Bretaña para niños
- Dukes of Brittany family tree
