John I the Red (in Breton Yann Iañ ar Ruz, in French Jean I le Roux) (1217 – October 8, 1286), known as John the Red due to the colour of his beard, was Duke of Brittany, from 1237 to his death. He was son of Duke Peter I and Alix of Thouars, heiress of the duchy.

Life

John was nominal duke from 1221, date of his mother’s death, although his father ruled as regent until he reached adulthood.

He experienced a number of conflicts with the Bishop of Nantes and the Breton clergy. He joined Saint Louis in the eighth crusade (1270), and survived the plague that killed the king. He then returned to his duchy. In Brittany he issued an edict expelling Jews from the duchy and cancelling all debts to them.

Marriage and issue

In 1236 John married Princess Blanche, daughter of King Theobald I of Navarre. They had the following surviving issue:

• John II, Duke of Brittany, married Beatrice of England and had issue

• Peter of Brittany, Lord of Hade

• Alix of Brittany, married John of Châtillon

• Theobald (1245-1256)

• Theobald (died soon after birth)

• Eleanor (1248)

• Nicolas of Brittany (1249-1261)

• Robert (1251-1259)

Ancestry

See also

• Dukes of Brittany family tree

Category:1217 birthsCategory:1286 deathsCategory:Dukes of BrittanyCategory:Earls in the Peerage of EnglandJohn I, Duke of BritannyJohn I, Duke of BritannyCategory:Articles lacking sources (Erik9bot)

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