John I, Duke of Alençon
John I of Alençon, called the Sage (1385 – 25 October 1415), was a French nobleman, killed at the Battle of Agincourt.
Jean I, Duke of Alencon | |
|---|---|
_Basilique_Vitrail_figurant_Jean_Ier_d'Alen%C3%A7on_et_St-Jean-Baptiste.jpg) | |
| Born | 1385 Château d'Essay |
| Died | 25 October 1415 Azincourt |
| Noble family | House of Valois-Alençon |
| Spouse(s) | Marie of Brittany |
| Father | Peter II of Alençon |
| Mother | Marie de Chamaillard |
.svg.png)
John was born in Château d'Essay, the son of Peter II of Alençon and Marie de Chamaillard. In 1404, he succeeded his father as Count of Alençon and Perche. He was made Duke of Alençon in 1414.
He commanded the second division of the French army at the Battle of Agincourt. When the English broke through the first division, he led a countercharge. He is sometimes credited with killing Edward, Duke of York, wounding Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and cutting an ornament from the crown of Henry V of England; but he was then overpowered by the King's bodyguard, and slain by the Welsh nobleman Dafydd Gam before he could yield himself.
Family
In 1396, he married Marie of Brittany (1391–1446), daughter of John IV, Duke of Brittany. They had five children:
- Pierre d'Alençon (1407, Argentan – 1408)
- Jean d'Alençon, Duke of Alençon (1409–1476)
- Marie d'Alençon (1410, Argentan, – 1412, Argentan)
- Jeanne d'Alençon (1412, Argentan – 1420)
- Charlotte d'Alençon (1413, Argentan – 1435, Lamballe)
He also had two illegitimate children:
- Pierre d'Alençon (d. 1424, Battle of Verneuil), Lord of Gallandon
- Marguerite d'Alençon, married Jean de St-Aubin, Lord of Preaux
John I, Duke of Alençon Born: 1385 Died: 26 October 1415 | ||
| Preceded by Peter II |
Count of Alençon 1404–1414 |
Succeeded by himself as Duke of Alençon |
| Count of Perche 1404–1415 |
Succeeded by John II | |
| New creation | Duke of Alençon 1414–1415 | |