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Illustration of descent of John of Gaunt and of his first wife, Blanche of Lancaster, from King Henry III. John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (6 March 1340 – 3 February 1399) was an English royal prince, military leader, and statesman.
John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, English prince, fourth but third surviving son of the English king Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut; he exercised a moderating influence in the political and constitutional struggles of the reign of his nephew Richard II.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Apr 8, 2021 · John of Gaunt (1340–99) was born three years into the Hundred Years’ War, a war of succession that dominated the rest of his life and the interests of his family, the Plantagenets. Gaunt was the third surviving son of Edward III, king of England (and from 1337, claimed king of France) and Queen Philippa of Hainault.
- Kathryn Warner
- Gaunt is an anglicisation of Ghent. John of Gaunt was born in the abbey of Saint Bavo in Ghent, modern-day Belgium, on 6 March 1340, while his father, who had claimed the throne of France in 1337, was seeking allies against the French among the dukes and counts of the Low Countries.
- He was the 4th son, so unlikely to inherit the throne. He was the 6th child and 4th son of King Edward III and his queen, Philippa of Hainault and had 6 younger siblings, three brothers and three sisters.
- He had illustrious royal lineage. John’s father Edward III had been king of England for 13 years when John was born, and ruled for half a century, the 5th longest reign in English history after Elizabeth II, Victoria, George III and Henry III.
- He lived in a multicultural household. In the early 1350s, John lived in the household of his eldest brother, Edward of Woodstock, nicknamed the Black Prince.
Learn about the life and achievements of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and a powerful medieval magnate. This book by Helen Carr explores his role in the Plantagenet dynasty, his military campaigns, his family and his legacy.
John of Gaunt (John Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Aquitaine, 6 March 1340 – 3 February 1399) was a member of the House of Plantagenet, who ruled England for over 300 years. Gaunt was the third surviving son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault. He was the father of Henry IV.
Learn about the life and achievements of John of Gaunt, the fourth son of King Edward III and a powerful nobleman in medieval England. Find out about his marriages, children, wars, estates and legacy.
