John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford

John of Lancaster
Duke of Bedford
Regent of France
The Duke of Bedford with his heraldic badge of "wood stocks" (tree-stumps) and his motto A Vous Entier
(miniature from Bedford Hours)
Born20 June 1389
Died14 September 1435 (aged 46)
Castle of Joyeux Repos, Rouen, Normandy
Burial30 September 1435
Spouse
(m. 1423; died 1432)
(m. 1433)
IssueRichard of Bedford (illegitimate)
HouseLancaster
FatherHenry IV of England
MotherMary de Bohun
Military service
AllegianceKingdom of England
ConflictsAnglo-Scottish border wars
Hundred Years' War
John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, Knight of the Garter, kneels before Saint George who wears the blue mantle of the Order of the Garter. Illuminated miniature from the Bedford Hours, formerly in the Duke's private library.

John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford KG (20 June 1389 – 14 September 1435) was a medieval English prince, general, and statesman who commanded England's armies in France during a critical phase of the Hundred Years' War. Bedford was the third son of King Henry IV of England, brother to Henry V, and acted as regent of France for his nephew Henry VI. Despite his military and administrative talent, the situation in France had severely deteriorated (for the English) by the time of his death.[1]

Bedford was a capable administrator and soldier, and his effective management of the war brought the English to the height of their power in France. However, difficulties mounted after the arrival of Joan of Arc, and his efforts were further thwarted by political divisions at home and the wavering of England's key ally, Duke Philip of Burgundy and his faction, the Burgundians. In the last years of Bedford's life, the conflict devolved into a war of attrition, and he became increasingly unable to gather the necessary funds to prosecute the conflict.

Bedford died during the congress of Arras in 1435, just as Burgundy was preparing to abandon the English cause and conclude a separate peace with Charles VII of France.

  1. ^ "John Plantagenet, duke of Bedford". Encyclopædia Britannica. 27 May 1999.