John FitzAlan, 14th Earl of Arundel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

John FitzAlan, 14th Earl of Arundel (1408 – June 12, 1435) was an English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years' War.

He was the son of John FitzAlan, 13th Earl of Arundel. On his father's death, he inherited the title of Baron Maltravers and a claim to the Earldom of Arundel, which was disputed with the Duke of Norfolk.

As a young man FitzAlan fought for the English in France, where he distinguished himself at the siege of Compiegne, and earned the favor of the English regent, John, Duke of Bedford. He also fought at Anglure and Louviers, and was present at Henry VI's coronation as king of France.

FitzAlan was made captain of Rouen in February, where on the night of March 3 he was surprised in his bed by French soldiers who had been let into the city by treachery. He escaped. The French were confined to the castle of Rouen, and driven from there within a few weeks. In 1432 he was made a Knight of the Garter.

In November 1433 Parliament recognized his claim to the Earldom of Arundel. Bedford's influence may have been helpful here.

During the next two years Arundel was a commander in various campaigns in France. In 1434, he was created Duke of Touraine. In May 1435 he was wounded in the leg in action near Gerberoy. The leg was amputated, but he died a month later.

Lord Arundel was married twice. His first wife was Constance, daughter of Lord Fanhope, by whom he had no children. He second wife was Maud Lovell, by whom he had a son, Humphrey, who succeeded to the Earldom of Arundel.

[edit] References

Preceded by
John FitzAlan		 Earl of Arundel
1421–1435		 Succeeded by
Humphrey FitzAlan