John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond

John of Brittany
Arms of John of Brittany
Born	c. 1266
Died	17 January 1334 Duchy of Brittany
Resting place	Church of the Franciscans, Nantes
Title	Earl of Richmond
Tenure	1306–1334
Other titles	Count of Treguier
Other names	Jean de Bretagne
Years active	1294–1327
Nationality	English, French, Breton
Locality	Yorkshire
Net worth	£1800 p.a.
Wars and battles	First War of Scottish Independence • Battle of Falkirk (1298) • Siege of Caerlaverock (1300) • Battle of Old Byland (1322) (POW)
Offices	Guardian of Scotland Lord Ordainer
Predecessor	John II, Duke of Brittany
Successor	John III, Duke of Brittany
Parents	John II, Duke of Brittany Beatrice of England

John of Brittany, called in French Jean de Bretagne (c. 1266 – 17 January 1334), 4th Earl of Richmond, was an English nobleman and a member of the Ducal house of Brittany, the House of Dreux. He entered royal service in England under his uncle Edward I, and also served Edward II. On 15 October 1306 he received his father's title of Earl of Richmond. He was named Guardian of Scotland in the midst of England's conflicts with Scotland and in 1311 Lord Ordainer during the baronial rebellion against Edward II.

John of Brittany served England as a soldier and as a diplomat but was otherwise politically inactive in comparison to other Earls of his time. He was a capable diplomat, valued by both Edward I and Edward II for his negotiating skills. John was never married, and upon his death his title and estates fell to his nephew, John III, Duke of Brittany. Although he was generally loyal to his first cousin Edward II during the times of baronial rebellion, he eventually supported the coup of Isabella and Mortimer. After Edward II abdicated in favour of his son Edward III of England, John retired to his estates in France and died in his native Brittany in 1334 with no known issue.

John was the second surviving son of John II, Duke of Brittany, and his wife Beatrice, who together had three sons and three daughters who survived to adulthood. Beatrice was the daughter of Henry III of England, which made John the nephew of Henry's son and heir Edward I. His father held the title of Earl of Richmond, but was little involved in English political affairs. John was raised at the English court together with Edward I's son Henry, who died in 1274. He participated in tournaments in his youth. but never distinguished himself in his early roles as a soldier.