John the Fearless facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John the Fearless |
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Copy of an original from c. 1415 by Rogier van der Weyden
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| Duke of Burgundy | |
| Reign | 27 April 1404 – 10 September 1419 |
| Predecessor | Philip II |
| Successor | Philip III |
| Born | 28 May 1371 Ducal palace, Dijon, Burgundy |
| Died | 10 September 1419 (aged 48) Montereau, France |
| Burial | Champmol, Dijon |
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| Issue more... |
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| House | Valois-Burgundy |
| Father | Philip the Bold |
| Mother | Margaret III, Countess of Flanders |
| Signature |  |
John I (French: Jean sans Peur; Dutch: Jan zonder Vrees; 28 May 1371 – 10 September 1419) was a powerful French prince. He ruled the Burgundian State from 1404 until his death in 1419. John played a big part in French politics during the early 1400s.
He was involved in struggles to control France for King Charles VI. The King was often mentally ill. John also played a role in the Hundred Years' War against England. He was known for being bold and determined.
John was involved in the death of the King's brother, the Duke of Orléans. This act led to a civil war in France called the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War. This conflict eventually led to his own death in 1419.
After John's death, his son Philip made an alliance with the English. This alliance helped bring the Hundred Years' War to its final stage. John also helped develop gunpowder artillery. He used it well in his military campaigns.
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Early Life of John the Fearless
John was born in Dijon, France, on May 28, 1371. His parents were Duke Philip the Bold of Burgundy and Countess Margaret III of Flanders. When his grandfather died in 1384, John became the Count of Nevers.
In 1385, John married Margaret of Bavaria. This marriage helped strengthen his family's power in the Low Countries. His sister also married Margaret's brother at the same time.
Before becoming Duke of Burgundy, John led French forces to help King Sigismund of Hungary. They were fighting against Sultan Bayezid I. In the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, John showed great bravery. This earned him the nickname "Fearless" (Sans-Peur). However, his bold actions led to a big defeat for the European army. He was captured and later freed after a large ransom was paid.
Struggles for Power in France
John became Duke of Burgundy in 1404 after his father died. He also gained control of other important regions in 1405. Soon, he had a major conflict with Duke Louis I of Orléans. Louis was the younger brother of King Charles VI of France. Both John and Louis wanted to gain power because the King was often unwell.
John made smart marriage plans for his children. His daughter Margaret married Louis, Duke of Guyenne, who was the heir to the French throne. John also paid attention to the middle class, like merchants, and the University of Paris.
Duke Louis of Orléans tried to gain influence with Queen Isabeau of Bavaria. John managed to be appointed as guardian of the King's children. This made the rivalry between John and Louis even worse. They started making threats against each other.
Their uncle, John, Duke of Berry, tried to make them friends again. They promised to reconcile on November 20, 1407. But just three days later, on November 23, 1407, Louis was killed in Paris. Everyone believed John of Burgundy had ordered it. John later admitted to the act, saying it was a justified political killing.
After some fighting, John regained the King's favor. In a treaty signed in 1409, the King forgave John. John also renewed his role as guardian of the Dauphin. He also had Jean de Montagu, a royal official who supported the Orléans family, arrested and executed in 1409.
Even with the Orléans dispute settled, John's life was not peaceful. Charles, Louis's son, was only 14 when his father died. He relied on allies to get back his family's property. His main ally was his father-in-law, Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac. Because of this, their group became known as the Armagnacs. They were against the Burgundians.
After a peace agreement in 1410, John went back to Burgundy. But the Armagnacs were not happy with their power. After some riots, John was called back to Paris. Then, Henry V of England invaded France. Henry was talking to both the Armagnacs and John. John wanted to take control of France from King Charles VI.
However, John was careful not to fully ally with the English. He feared losing his popularity with the French people. When Henry demanded John's support to become King of France, John refused. He decided to ally with the Armagnacs instead. Even though he talked about helping the King, John's troops did not fight in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. However, two of his brothers died fighting for France in that battle.
John's Final Conflict
Two years later, the rivalry between the Burgundians and Armagnacs was very strong. John's troops captured Paris on May 30, 1418. But the new Dauphin, who would become Charles VII of France, escaped. John then took control in Paris and became the King's protector.
John did not openly help the English, but he did nothing to stop them from taking Rouen in 1419. With northern France held by the English and Paris by Burgundy, the Dauphin tried to make peace with John. They met in July and promised peace on a bridge near Melun.
However, the Dauphin suggested another meeting to make sure peace was truly secure. This meeting was set for September 10, 1419, on a bridge at Montereau. John of Burgundy arrived with his guards, thinking it was a diplomatic meeting. But he was killed by the Dauphin's companions.
John was later buried in Dijon. After his death, his son and successor Philip the Good formed an alliance with the English. This alliance made the Hundred Years' War last for many more decades. It also caused great damage to France and its people.
Family
John and his wife Margaret married in 1385. They had several children:
- Marie (1393–1463). She married Adolph I, Duke of Cleves.
- Margaret (1393–1442). She married Louis of Valois, the heir to King Charles VI of France. Later, she married Arthur de Richemont.
- Philip ΙΙΙ (1396–1467). He was John's son and heir.
- Catherine (1399–1414).
- Joanna (1399–1406). She died young.
- Isabelle (1400–1412). She married Olivier de Châtillon-Blois.
- Anne (1404–1432). She married John, Duke of Bedford.
- Agnes (1407–1476). She married Charles I, Duke of Bourbon.
Titles
1384–1404: Count of Nevers as John I
27 April 1404 – 10 September 1419: Duke of Burgundy as John I- 21 March 1405 – 10 September 1419: Count Palatine of Burgundy as John I
21 March 1405 – 10 September 1419: Count of Artois as John I
21 March 1405 – 10 September 1419: Count of Flanders as John I
27 April 1404 – 28 January 1405: Count of Charolais as John I
See also
In Spanish: Juan I de Borgoña para niños
Sources
- Smith, Robert Douglas; DeVries, K. (2005). [John the Fearless at Google Books The Artillery of the Dukes of Burgundy, 1363–1477]. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1843831624. John the Fearless at Google Books.
- Vaughan, Richard (2005). [John the Fearless at Google Books John the Fearless]. The Dukes of Burgundy. 2 (reprinted new ed.). Boydell Press. ISBN 978-0851159164. John the Fearless at Google Books.
