John I of Aragon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John I
Tomb effigy
King of Aragon, Valencia and Majorca Count of Barcelona
Reign	6 January 1387 – 19 May 1396
Predecessor	Peter IV
Successor	Martin
Born	27 December 1350 Perpignan
Died	19 May 1396(1396-05-19) (aged 45) Foixà
Burial	Poblet Monastery
Spouse	Martha of Armagnac ​ ​ (m. 1373; died 1378)​ Violant of Bar ​ (m. 1380)​
Issue among others...	Joanna, Countess of Foix Yolande, Duchess of Anjou
House	House of Barcelona
Father	Peter IV of Aragon
Mother	Eleanor of Sicily
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John I (born December 27, 1350 – died May 19, 1396) was a king known by many names. Some called him the Hunter or the Lover of Elegance. During his life, people sometimes called him the Abandoned. He ruled as the King of Aragon from 1387 until he died.

Life of King John I

John was the oldest son of Peter IV of Aragon and his third wife, Eleanor of Sicily. He was born in Perpignan, a city that was part of the Crown of Aragon back then. John was a strong-willed person who loved poetry. He also admired French culture.

He married Violant of Bar, even though his father wanted him to marry a princess from Sicily. This last marriage was a happy one. His wife, Violant, often helped with government duties because King John was frequently ill.

Becoming King and New Alliances

When John became king, he changed some of his father's policies. His father had been friendly with England. John, however, decided to become allies with France instead. He also continued to support Pope Clement VII during a time when there were two popes (this was called the Western Schism).

King John also made an alliance with Castile. In 1388, he signed a treaty with Navarre to set clear borders between their kingdoms.

Battles and Lost Lands

Around 1389–1390, Aragon's army fought against the troops of John III. John III was trying to take over lands in the Kingdom of Majorca, which was under Aragon's control. The invaders attacked from Empordà to Girona. But in 1390, John's brother, Martin, led the Aragonese troops and defeated them.

Between 1388 and 1390, John's kingdom also lost control of lands in Greece. These were the Duchy of Athens and the Duchy of Neopatras.

In 1391, King John passed new laws about Jewish communities in different cities of Aragon. That same year, his government faced a rebellion in Sicily. The people there had declared Louis II of Naples as their new king.

Culture and Challenges

King John I was a big supporter of culture in Barcelona. In 1393, he created the Consistory of Barcelona. This group organized poetry contests called jocs florals, similar to ones held in Toulouse, France.

Aragon had been trying to take control of Sardinia for a long time. They had conquered most of the island. However, in the 1380s, a part of Sardinia called Arborea became a center of rebellion. The Aragonese quickly lost ground to Eleanor de Bas-Serra. During John's reign, Aragon continued to fight the rebels in Sardinia, but they lost almost the entire island.

King John's time as ruler was also marked by serious problems with how the kingdom's money was managed.

His Death and Successor

King John I died during a hunting trip. He fell from his horse in the forests near Foixà. Since he had no sons who survived him, his younger brother, Martin, became the next king.

King John's Family

King John I had children from two marriages.

Children with Martha of Armagnac

His first marriage was on June 24, 1373, to Martha of Armagnac. She was the daughter of Count Jean I of Armagnac. Martha died in 1378.

• James (born and died in 1374)
• Joanna (born 1375 – died 1407). She married Mathieu, the Count of Foix, in 1392. After her father's death, they tried to claim the throne of Aragon. Mathieu of Foix invaded Aragon, but the new King Martin drove him back. Joanna died soon after, without children.
• John (born and died in 1376)
• Alfonso (born and died in 1377)
• Eleanor (born and died in 1378)

Children with Yolande of Bar

His second marriage was on February 2, 1380, to Yolande of Bar. She was the daughter of Robert I, Duke of Bar.

• James (born 1382 – died 1388)
• Yolande (born 1384 – died 1442). She married Louis II of Naples in 1400.
• Ferdinand (born and died in 1389)
• Antonia (born 1391 – died 1392)
• Eleanor (born and died in 1393)
• Peter (born and died in 1394)
• Joanna (born and died in 1396)

See also

In Spanish: Juan I de Aragón para niños