Jean I, Duke of Alençon

Jean I, Duke of Alencon

Coat of arms of the counts and dukes of Alençon of the House of Valois
Spouse(s) Marie of Brittany
Noble family House of Valois-Alençon
Father Peter II of Alençon
Mother Marie de Chamaillard
Born 1385
Château d'Essay
Died 25 October 1415
Azincourt
Coat of arms of the counts of Perche.
John I of Alençon fights against Henry of England and Edward of York at the Battle of Agincourt.

John I of Alençon, called the Sage (1385 25 October 1415), was a French nobleman, killed at the Battle of Agincourt.


John was born in Château d'Essay, the son of Peter II of Alençon and Marie de Chamaillard. In 1404, he succeeded his father as Count of Alençon and Perche. He was made Duke of Alençon in 1414.

He commanded the second division of the French army at the Battle of Agincourt. When the English broke through the first division, he led a countercharge. He is sometimes credited with killing Edward, Duke of York, wounding Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and cutting an ornament from the crown of Henry V of England; but he was then overpowered by the King's bodyguard, and slain by the Welsh nobleman Dafydd Gam before he could yield himself.

Family

In 1396, he married Marie of Brittany (13911446), daughter of John V, Duke of Brittany. They had five children:

  1. Pierre d'Alençon (1407, Argentan 1408)
  2. Jean d'Alençon, Duke of Alençon (14091476)
  3. Marie d'Alençon (1410, Argentan, 1412, Argentan)
  4. Jeanne d'Alençon (1412, Argentan 1420)
  5. Charlotte d'Alençon (1413, Argentan 1435, Lamballe)

He also had two illegitimate children:

  1. Pierre d'Alençon (d. 1424, Battle of Verneuil), Lord of Gallandon
  2. Marguerite d'Alençon, married Jean de St-Aubin, Lord of Preaux
Jean I, Duke of Alençon
Born: 1385 Died: 26 October 1415
Preceded by
Peter II
Count of Alençon
1404–1414
Succeeded by
himself
as Duke of Alençon
Count of Perche
1404–1415
Succeeded by
John II
New creation Duke of Alençon
1414–1415