John I, Duke of Brittany

John I (Breton: Yann, French: Jean; c. 1217/1218 – 8 October 1286), known as John the Red due to the colour of his beard, was Duke of Brittany from 1221 to his death and 2nd Earl of Richmond in 1268.

John I
John represented on a window in Chartres Cathedral
Duke of Brittany
Reign	21 October 1221 – 8 October 1286
Predecessor	Peter I and Alix
Successor	John II
Regent	Peter I (1221–1237)
Earl of Richmond
Reign	1268
Predecessor	Peter of Savoy
Successor	John II
Born	c. 1217/1218
Died	8 October 1286 Château de l'Isle
Burial	Prières Abbey
Spouse	Blanche of Navarre
Issue Among others	John II, Duke of Brittany Alix, Countess of Blois
House	Dreux
Father	Peter of Dreux
Mother	Alix, Duchess of Brittany

John was the eldest of three children born to Duchess Alix and her husband and co-ruler, Duke Peter I.^[1] He became duke upon his mother's death in 1221. His father, who had reigned as duke due to his marriage to Alix, ruled as regent until John reached adulthood.^[2] In 1268, Henry III granted the earldom of Richmond to John,^[3] and the title continued in his family, through frequent temporary forfeitures and reversions, until 1342.

He experienced a number of conflicts with the Bishop of Nantes and the Breton clergy. In 1240, he issued an edict expelling Jews from the duchy and cancelling all debts to them.^[4] He joined Louis IX of France in the Eighth Crusade in 1270, and survived the plague that killed the king. The duchy of Brittany experienced a century of peace, beginning with John I and ending with Duke John III's reign in 1341.^[5]

Marriage and issue

In 1236 John married Infanta Blanche, daughter of King Theobald I of Navarre.^[6] They had the following surviving issue:

• John II, Duke of Brittany (1239–1305), married Beatrice of England and had issue.^[7]
• Peter (1241–1268), Lord of Dinan, Hade, Léon, Hennebont and La Roche-Derrien.^[7]
• Alix (1243–1288), Dame de Pontarcy; married John of Châtillon, Count of Blois.^[7]
• Theobald (1245–1246), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
• Theobald (1247 – died young), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
• Eleanor (1248 – died young), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
• Nicolas (1249–1251), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.
• Robert (1251–1259), interred in the church abbey of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.