John of Gaunt

Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

0.02 sec.

John of Gaunt (1340–1399)

English noble and politician, fourth (and third surviving) son of Edward III, Duke of Lancaster from 1362. He distinguished himself during the Hundred Years' War. During Edward's last years, and the years before Richard II attained the age of majority, he acted as head of government, and Parliament protested against his corrupt rule.

He was called John of Gaunt because he was born in Ghent, Flanders. In 1359 he married Blanche, daughter of Henry, Duke of Lancaster (died 1361), whose title passed to John of Gaunt in 1362; their son became Henry IV of England. Blanche died in 1369 and three years later he married Constance, daughter of Pedro III of Castile. Their daughter Philippa (1359–1415) married King John I of Portugal (1357–1433). John of Gaunt assumed the title of King of Castile in 1372, but his efforts to establish his claim against his rival, Henry of Trastamare, proved unsuccessful; in 1387 he renounced all claims in favour of his daughter Catherine, who married Henry III of Castile (1379–1406) in 1393.

Constance died in 1394, and John of Gaunt married his mistress of long standing, Katharine Swynford (c. 1350–1403), with whom he already had four children; they were legitimized in 1397 by charter of Richard II, and founded the house of Beaufort, from whom Henry VII was descended.

How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

?Sign in

Mentioned in	?		References in classic literature	?		Hutchinson browser	?		Full browser	?
1366 1372 1413 Beaufort, Henry Beaufort, Margaret births and deaths Chaucer, Geoffrey Courtenay, William Dunstanburgh Castle Edward III England: history 1485 - 1714 England: history to 1485 Henry IV Henry VII Infantas, Fernando de las Joan of Kent John I Kenilworth Lancaster			They were strange companions, and while John of Gaunt fought only for more power, Wyclif fought for freedom both in religion and in life. English Literature For Boys And Girls by Marshall, H.E. View in context lies buried at Reading, in the Benedictine abbey founded by him there, the ruins of which may still be seen; and, in this same abbey, great John of Gaunt was married to the Lady Blanche. Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing Of The Dog) by Jerome, Jerome K. View in context In 1386 he was a member of Parliament, knight of the shire for Kent; but in that year his fortune turned--he lost all his offices at the overthrow of the faction of his patron, Duke John of Gaunt (uncle of the young king, Richard II, who had succeeded his grandfather, Edward III, some years before). A History of English Literature by Fletcher, Robert Huntington View in context			Johannesburg Johannesen, Grant Johannsson, Kristjan Johanson, Donald C Johanssen, Wilhelm Ludvig Johansson, Eva Johansson, Scarlett John Bull John Cantacuzene John Chrysostom, St John Climacus, St John Day River John F Kennedy Arboretum John I John I, St John II John III, Sobieski John IV John Lackland John o' Groats John of Austria, Don John of Beverley, St John of Bohemia John of Capistrano, St John of Damascus, St John of Gaunt John of Kronstadt, Father John of Lancaster John of Nepomuk, St John of Salisbury John of the Cross, St John Palaeologus John Paul I John Paul II John the Baptist, St John V John Vatatzes John VI John VIII John XXII John XXIII John, Augustus Edwin John, Barry John, Elton John, Gwen John, Patrick John, St John, William Goscombe Johnny Strikes Up Johns, Jasper Johns, W E			John O'Noakes John O'Noakes John O'Noakes John ODonovan John of Asia John of Austria John of Austria John of Austria the Younger John of Austria, Don John of Aviz John of Aviz John of Aviz John of Balue John of Beverley, St John of Bohemia John of Bologna John of Bologna John of Bologna John of Brienne John of Capistrano, St John of Damascus John of Damascus John of Damascus, Saint John of Damascus, St John of England John of England John of England John of Ephesus John of Fidanza John of Fidanza John of Gaunt John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster John of Hollywood John of Kronstadt, Father John of Lancaster John of Lancaster John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford John of Leiden John of Leiden John of Leyden John of Leyden John of Luxemburg John of Nepomuk John of Nepomuk, Saint John of Nepomuk, St John of Nevers John of Paris John of Paris John of Procida John of Salisbury John of Salisbury John of Salisbury John of Speyer John of the Cross John of the Cross

Hutchinson Encyclopedia

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.