John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter
| The Duke of Exeter | |
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Coat of arms of John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter
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| Born |
18 March 1395 Dartington, Devonshire, England |
| Died | 5 August 1447 (aged 52) Stepney, Middlesex, England |
| Title |
Duke of Exeter Earl of Huntingdon |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Anne Stafford Beatrice of Portugal Lady Anne Montacute |
John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter KG (18 March 1395 – 5 August 1447) was an English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years' War. He was Admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine.
Exeter was the second son of John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter and Lady Elizabeth of Lancaster. His paternal grandparents were Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent and Joan of Kent, Princess of Wales, who after Holland's death had married the Prince of Wales, Edward, the Black Prince. His maternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Blanche of Lancaster. By his paternal grandmother, he was a half-nephew of Richard II of England. By his maternal grandparents, he was a nephew of Henry IV of England, a first cousin of Henry V of England, and a first cousin once removed of Henry VI of England.
Holland was just a boy when his father conspired against Henry IV and was attainted and executed. Nevertheless, he was given a chance to serve Henry V in the 1415 campaign in France, where he distinguished himself at Agincourt.
The next year Holland was restored in blood and to his father's earldom of Huntingdon, and was made a Knight of the Garter. (His older brother Richard had died in 1400).
Over the next five years he held various important commands with the English forces in France and in 1420 was made Constable of the Tower of London. He was captured by the French in 1421 at the Battle of Baugé and spent four years in captivity, not being released until 1425.
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