John I, Duke of Brittany
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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. In 1236 John married Princess Blanche, daughter of King Theobald I of Navarre.
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 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.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Alix Peter I |
Duke of Brittany 1237–1286 |
Succeeded by John II |
| Preceded by Peter of Savoy |
Earl of Richmond 1268 |
Succeeded by John II |
