John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford

20 June 1389 - 14 September 1435

House: Lancaster, Plantagenet

Titles: Duke of Bedford, Earl of Kendal, Earl of Richmond, Knight of the Garter, Constable of England, Warden of the East March

A medieval English prince, general, and statesman, John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, was pivotal in commanding England’s armies in France during the Hundred Years’ War. As the third son of King Henry IV and brother to Henry V, he served as regent of France for his nephew, Henry VI. Bedford’s competent administration and military leadership brought England to its apex of power in France, but his achievements were undermined by the emergence of Joan of Arc, internal political divisions, and the fluctuating allegiance of the Burgundians.

Notable events

1399
Father Henry Bolingbroke deposed Richard II and became King Henry IV, affecting John's future prospects.
12 October 1399
Knighted at his father's coronation.
1400
Made a Knight of the Garter.
1403-1414
Served as Warden of the East March, gaining military experience against Scots.
1414
Created Duke of Bedford by his brother, King Henry V.
August 1416
Commanded ships at the Battle of the Seine, instrumental in relieving Harfleur.
1421
Acted as lieutenant of the kingdom, conducting the queen to join Henry V in Normandy.
1423
Married Anne of Burgundy, aligning with the Burgundians.
1432
Death of spouse Anne of Burgundy, impacting Burgundian alliance.
1435
Died during the congress of Arras, coinciding with Burgundy's shift away from the English alliance.

Other details

Death: Died at the age of 46, during the congress of Arras. Buried in Rouen Cathedral.

Children: 0

Marriages: Anne of Burgundy (m. 1423; d. 1432), Jacquetta of Luxembourg (m. 1433)

Sources

Compiled from various 3rd hand sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/