John of Horne (1380–1436) facts for kids
John of Horne (born around 1380 – died August 22, 1436) was an important leader in the region of Flanders. He was known as the Admiral of Flanders, which meant he was in charge of the navy. He also held important positions in the government, serving powerful dukes like John the Fearless and Philip the Good.
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Who Was John of Horne?
John of Horne was born around 1380. His parents were Arnold of Horne and Joanna of Hondschoote. From them, he inherited several important lands and titles. These included areas like Baucignies, Montcornet, Heeze, and Leende. He also gained control of Gaasbeek in 1434.
Key Positions and Achievements
John of Horne held several powerful jobs. He was the Seneschal of Brabant, which was a high-ranking official in charge of justice and administration. He was also the Grand Chamberlain for two very important dukes: John the Fearless and Philip the Good. A Grand Chamberlain was a chief advisor and manager of the duke's household.
In 1420, John of Horne was made a knight. This happened during a major battle known as the siege of Melun. Later, he became the keeper of Castle Loevestein. This happened after Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut, gave up her power.
The Siege of Calais (1436)
John of Horne is most famous for his role in the Siege of Calais in 1436. Duke Philip the Good wanted to capture Calais, which was controlled by the English. As the Admiral of Flanders, John's main job was to block the harbor of Calais. This would stop English ships from bringing supplies or soldiers into the city.
Attempts to Block the Harbor
John tried to block the harbor by sinking several ships filled with stones. He sank about five or six ships right at the entrance to the harbor. However, the people of Calais were clever. When the tide was low, they could reach these sunken ships. They managed to take them apart and clear the way.
To make things worse, bad weather forced John to take his fleet back to Holland. Because he could not keep the harbor blocked, the siege failed. This failure was a big problem for Philip the Good.
Later Life and Death
After the failed siege, an English army led by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, attacked Flanders. English pirates also raided the Flemish coast. John of Horne was unable to stop these attacks. The people of Flanders were very upset and blamed him for the problems. Sadly, he died in the dunes near Ostend on August 22, 1436.
Family Life
John of Horne married Margareth de la Tremouille in 1410. They had one son named Philip, who was born in 1421.
