John IV, Duke of Brittany
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John IV of Montfort (in French Jean IV de Montfort) (1295 – September 16, 1345, Château d'Hennebon), was duke of Brittany, from 1341 to his death. He was son of Duke Arthur II and Yolande de Dreux, countess of Montfort, his second wife.
In 1322 he succeeded his mother as count of Montfort, and in 1329, he married Joanna of Flanders at Chartres. They had two children:
- John V, Duke of Brittany (1339/40 – 1399)
- Joanna (1341 – aft. October 20, 1399), married bef. October 21, 1385 Ralph Basset, 4th Baron Basset de Drayton
When his half-brother, duke John III, died with no male heirs in 1341, John decided to fight the rights of his niece Joanna of Dreux and her husband Charles of Blois to the duchy of Brittany. This lead to the Breton War of Succession an event of the Hundred Years' War. His patron in this quest was king Edward III of England. John IV died without accomplishing his objective of becoming sole ruler of Brittany, but his wife Joanna of Flanders continued the fight in the name of their son John V who eventually won the Succession War.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Yolande |
Count of Montfort 1322–1345 |
Succeeded by John V |
| Preceded by John III |
Duke of Brittany disputed with Joanna and Charles 1341–1345 |
|
| Preceded by John III of Dreux |
Earl of Richmond 1341-1342 |
Succeeded by John of Gaunt |
