Jean I, Count of La Marche

Life

Jean was captured as a young man at the Battle of Poitiers, but ransomed. Following the deaths of his father and elder brother at the Battle of Brignais, John succeeded them as Count of La Marche.

Jean took an active part in the Hundred Years' War, and became Governor of Limousin after helping reconquer it from the English. Later he joined Bertrand du Guesclin in his campaign of 1366 in Castile. In 1374, his brother-in-law Bouchard VII, Count of Vendôme died, and John became Count of Vendôme and Castres in right of his wife.

Jean joined the campaign of Charles VI 1382 in Flanders (which culminated in the Battle of Roosebeke) and fought in 1392 in Brittany.

Jean rebuilt the castles of Vendôme and Lavardin.

Marriage and children

On 28 September 1364, Jean married Catherine of Vendôme, countess of Vendôme (d. 1412) and daughter of John VI, Count of Vendôme.

He had seven children by Catherine:

• James II, Count of La Marche and Castres (1370–1438).
• Isabelle (b. 1373), a nun at Poissy.
• Louis, Count of Vendôme (1376–1446).
• John, Lord of Carency (1378–1457), married c. 1416 Catherine, daughter of Philip of Artois, Count of Eu, without issue, married in 1420 at Le Mans, his mistress Jeanne de Vendômois, with whom he had issue.
• Anne (c. 1380 – September 1408, Paris), married in 1401 John of Berry, Count of Montpensier (d. 1401), married in Paris in 1402 Louis VII, Duke of Bavaria.
• Marie (1386 – aft. 11 September 1463), Lady of Brehencourt, married Jean de Baynes, Lord of Croix.
• Charlotte (1388 – 15 January 1422), married in 1411 at Nicosia King Janus of Cyprus.

References

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