John IV of Montfort (in Breton Yann Moñforzh, in French Jean de Montfort) (1295 – 16 September 1345, Château d'Hennebon), was duke of Brittany, from 1341 to his death. He was son of Duke Arthur II and Yolande de Dreux, countess of Montfort, his second wife.
In 1322 he succeeded his mother as count of Montfort, and in 1329, he married Joanna of Flanders at Chartres. They had two children:
When his half-brother, duke John III, died with no male hei...
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John IV of Montfort (in Breton Yann Moñforzh, in French Jean de Montfort) (1295 – 16 September 1345, Château d'Hennebon), was duke of Brittany, from 1341 to his death. He was son of Duke Arthur II and Yolande de Dreux, countess of Montfort, his second wife.
In 1322 he succeeded his mother as count of Montfort, and in 1329, he married Joanna of Flanders at Chartres. They had two children:
When his half-brother, duke John III, died with no male heirs in 1341, John IV decided to contest the rights of his niece Joanna of Penthièvre and her husband Charles of Blois to the duchy of Brittany. This led to the Breton War of Succession part of the Hundred Years' War. His patron in this quest was king Edward III of England. In 1347, he captured his long-time rival Charles of Blois. John IV besieged Auray in 1364, devastating his opponents. This is known as the Battle of Auray.
In 1381, John IV founded the Order of the Ermine to commemorate those who fell at Auray in 1364 and gather the leading...
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