John IV, Duke of Brittany
| John IV | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Brittany Count of Montfort |
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John IV
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| Duke of Brittany | |
| Reign | 1345–1399 |
| Predecessor | John of Montfort |
| Successor | John V |
| Born | 1339 |
| Died | 1 November 1399 Nantes |
| Spouse |
Mary Plantagenet Lady Joan Holland Joanna of Navarre |
| House | House of Montfort |
| Father | John of Montfort |
| Mother | Joanna of Flanders |
John IV the Conqueror KG (in Breton Yann IV, in French Jean IV, and traditionally in English sources both John of Montfort and John V) (1339 – 1 November 1399) was Duke of Brittany and Count of Montfort from 1345 until his death and 7th Earl of Richmond from 1372 until his death.
He was the son of John of Montfort and Joanna of Flanders. His father claimed the title Duke of Brittany, but was largely unable to enforce his claim for more than a brief period. Because his father's claim to the title was disputed, the subject of this article has often been numbered John IV, while his father has been referred to as simply "John of Montfort" (Jean de Montfort). English historians number him as John V, since the English king recognized his father's title. In France he is commonly known as John IV, since the French monarchy, unlike the English, never acknowledged his father's title.
The first part of his rule was tainted by the Breton War of Succession, fought by his father against his cousin Joanna of Penthièvre and her husband Charles of Blois. With French military support Charles was able to control most of Brittany. After his father's death, John's mother Joanne attempted to continue the war in the name of her baby son. She became known as "Jeanne la Flamme" (Fiery Joanna) for her fiery personality. However, she was eventually forced to retreat with her son to England to ask for the aid of Edward III. She was later declared insane and imprisoned in Tickhill Castle in 1343. John and his sister Joan of Brittany were taken into the King's household afterwards.
John returned to Brittany to enforce his claim, with English help. In 1364, John managed to win a decisive victory against the House of Blois in the Battle of Auray, with the support of the English army led by John Chandos. His rival Charles was killed in the battle and Charles's widow Joanna was forced to sign the Treaty Guérande on 12 April 1365. In the terms of the treaty, Joanna gave up her rights to Brittany and recognized John as sole master of the duchy.
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