John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter KG (March 18, 1395 – 1447) was an English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years' War.
He was the second son of John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter, and Elizabeth, daughter of John of Gaunt. He was thus a nephew of Henry IV, first cousin once removed of Richard II, and a first cousin of Henry V.
Holland was just a boy when his father conspired against Henry IV and was attainted and executed. Nevertheless, he was given a chance to serve Henry V in the 1415 campaign in France, where he distinguished himself at Agincourt.
The next year Holland was restored in blood and to his father's earldom of Huntingdon, and was made a Knight of the Garter. (His older brother Richard had died in 1400.)
Over the next five years he held various important commands with the English forces in France, until he was captured by the French in 1421 at the Battle of Baugé. He spent four years in captivity, not being released until 1425.
On March 6, 1427, he married Lady Anne Stafford (d. September 20, 1432), daughter of Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford. By her he had two children:
- Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter (1430–1475)
- Anne Holland (d. December 26, 1486), married first Sir John Neville (d. 1450), son of Ralph Neville, 2nd Earl of Westmorland, the marriage unconsummated; married second John Neville, 1st Baron Neville de Raby; married third James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas
He may have married Beatrice of Portugal (d. October 25, 1447) on January 20, 1433; finally, around 1448, he married Anne Montagu (d. November 28, 1457), daughter of John Montacute, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, but without issue from either.
In 1435 he was appointed admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine, and in 1439 he was made the king's lieutenant in Aquitaine, and later governor of Aquitaine.
Holland recovered his father's dukedom of Exeter in 1439, and was given precedence just below the Duke of York. He was succeeded as duke by his son Henry.
| Preceded by The Duke of Bedford |
Lord High Admiral of England 1435–1447 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Suffolk |
| Preceded by John Holland (forfeit 1400) |
Earl of Huntingdon 1416–1447 |
Succeeded by Henry Holland |
| Duke of Exeter 1439–1447 |
