Who was John of Gaunt?

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, born in Ghent in March 1340, was an English prince and the fourth son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut . In 1362, through his marriage to Blanche, he acquired the duchy of Lancaster . From 1367 to 1374, he served as a commander in the Hundred Years’ War against France. Gaunt exercised a moderating influence in the political and constitutional struggles of the reign of his nephew Richard II . He is also the immediate ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI. He died in London in February 1399.

What title did John of Gaunt hold in England?

John of Gaunt, born in Ghent in 1340, was the Duke of Lancaster. He acquired the duchy of Lancaster and the vast Lancastrian estates in England and Wales in 1362 through his first wife, Blanche. As an English prince , he was the fourth, but third surviving, son of King Edward III. John of Gaunt was also the immediate ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI.

How was John of Gaunt related to the royal family?

John of Gaunt, born in March 1340, was an English prince and the fourth (but third surviving) son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut. As such, he was a direct member of the English royal family. He is also the ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI.

What role did John of Gaunt play in English politics?

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, played a significant role in English politics during the reigns of Edward III and Richard II. As the son of Edward III, he gained considerable influence, especially after returning from the Hundred Years’ War in 1374. Gaunt initially allied with religious reformer John Wycliffe to counter powerful prelates. Following the accession of his nephew, Richard II, in 1377, he became a mediator between the king and the opposition, from 1381 to 1386. His pursuit of the kingship of Castile and Leon led him to Spain in 1386, but he later returned to England to resume his peacemaking role. When he died in 1399, Richard II confiscated the Lancastrian estates, preventing them from passing to John’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, who then deposed Richard and became King Henry IV.

Why is the House of Lancaster important in English history?

The House of Lancaster is significant in English history as a cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet, providing three kings of England in the 15th century: Henry IV , Henry V , and Henry VI . The family name originated in 1267 when Edmund "Crouchback," the youngest son of Henry III, was granted the title of earl of Lancaster. John of Gaunt , the third surviving son of Edward III, married Blanche, the younger daughter of Henry, 1st duke of Lancaster, and after Gaunt’s death, his son Henry of Lancaster deposed Richard II, becoming Henry IV. The Wars of the Roses were fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne. The last fragment of Lancastrian title was that which Henry VII derived through the Beaufort family, comprising Gaunt’s legitimized natural children.

How did John of Gaunt's descendants influence the English throne after his death?

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was the father of Henry IV, who deposed Richard II and became king in 1399. This established the House of Lancaster on the English throne, with Henry IV and his successors Henry V and Henry VI ruling for over 60 years. Gaunt's descendants through the Beaufort family, his legitimized children with Katherine Swynford, also played a significant role. Although Henry IV excluded them from succession, Margaret Beaufort was the mother of Henry VII, who inaugurated the Tudor monarchy. Thus, John of Gaunt was the ancestor of Lancastrian monarchs and, later, the Tudor line.

John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster

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Engraving of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, shown wearing a crown and fur-trimmed robe, holding a scepter, with a solemn expression.

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Also called:: (1342–62) earl of Richmond, or (from 1390) duc (duke) d’Aquitaine

Born:: March 1340, Ghent

Died:: February 3, 1399, London (aged 58)

House / Dynasty:: house of Plantagenet

Notable Family Members:: father Edward III; son Henry IV; brother Edward the Black Prince

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John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster

English prince

Also known as: John of Gaunt, duc d’Aquitaine, John of Gaunt, earl of Richmond(Show More)

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Top Questions

Who was John of Gaunt?
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, born in Ghent in March 1340, was an English prince and the fourth son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut.

In 1362, through his marriage to Blanche, he acquired the duchy of Lancaster. From 1367 to 1374, he served as a commander in the Hundred Years’ War against France. Gaunt exercised a moderating influence in the political and constitutional struggles of the reign of his nephew Richard II. He is also the immediate ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI. He died in London in February 1399.
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What title did John of Gaunt hold in England?
John of Gaunt, born in Ghent in 1340, was the Duke of Lancaster. He acquired the duchy of Lancaster and the vast Lancastrian estates in England and Wales in 1362 through his first wife, Blanche. As an English prince, he was the fourth, but third surviving, son of King Edward III. John of Gaunt was also the immediate ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How was John of Gaunt related to the royal family?
John of Gaunt, born in March 1340, was an English prince and the fourth (but third surviving) son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut. As such, he was a direct member of the English royal family. He is also the ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs: Henry IV, V, and VI.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What role did John of Gaunt play in English politics?
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, played a significant role in English politics during the reigns of Edward III and Richard II. As the son of Edward III, he gained considerable influence, especially after returning from the Hundred Years’ War in 1374.

Gaunt initially allied with religious reformer John Wycliffe to counter powerful prelates. Following the accession of his nephew, Richard II, in 1377, he became a mediator between the king and the opposition, from 1381 to 1386. His pursuit of the kingship of Castile and Leon led him to Spain in 1386, but he later returned to England to resume his peacemaking role. When he died in 1399, Richard II confiscated the Lancastrian estates, preventing them from passing to John’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, who then deposed Richard and became King Henry IV.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is the House of Lancaster important in English history?
The House of Lancaster is significant in English history as a cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet, providing three kings of England in the 15th century: Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI. The family name originated in 1267 when Edmund "Crouchback," the youngest son of Henry III, was granted the title of earl of Lancaster.

John of Gaunt, the third surviving son of Edward III, married Blanche, the younger daughter of Henry, 1st duke of Lancaster, and after Gaunt’s death, his son Henry of Lancaster deposed Richard II, becoming Henry IV. The Wars of the Roses were fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne. The last fragment of Lancastrian title was that which Henry VII derived through the Beaufort family, comprising Gaunt’s legitimized natural children.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did John of Gaunt's descendants influence the English throne after his death?
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was the father of Henry IV, who deposed Richard II and became king in 1399. This established the House of Lancaster on the English throne, with Henry IV and his successors Henry V and Henry VI ruling for over 60 years.

Gaunt's descendants through the Beaufort family, his legitimized children with Katherine Swynford, also played a significant role. Although Henry IV excluded them from succession, Margaret Beaufort was the mother of Henry VII, who inaugurated the Tudor monarchy. Thus, John of Gaunt was the ancestor of Lancastrian monarchs and, later, the Tudor line.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster (born March 1340, Ghent—died February 3, 1399, London) was an English prince, fourth but third surviving son of the English king Edward III and Philippa of Hainaut; he exercised a moderating influence in the political and constitutional struggles of the reign of his nephew Richard II. He was the immediate ancestor of the three 15th-century Lancastrian monarchs, Henry IV, V, and VI. The term Gaunt, a corruption of the name of his birthplace, Ghent, was never employed after he was three years old; it became the popularly accepted form of his name through its use in Shakespeare’s play Richard II.

Through his first wife, Blanche (died 1368), John, in 1362, acquired the duchy of Lancaster and the vast Lancastrian estates in England and Wales. From 1367 to 1374 he served as a commander in the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) against France. On his return he obtained the chief influence with his father, but he had serious opponents among a group of powerful prelates who aspired to hold state offices. He countered their hostility by forming a curious alliance with the religious reformer John Wycliffe. Despite John’s extreme unpopularity, he maintained his position after the accession of his ten-year-old nephew, Richard II, in 1377, and from 1381 to 1386 he mediated between the King’s party and the opposition group led by John’s younger brother, Thomas Woodstock, earl of Gloucester.

In 1386 John departed for Spain to pursue his claim to the kingship of Castile and Leon based upon his marriage to Constance of Castile in 1371. The expedition was a military failure. John renounced his claim in 1388, but he married his daughter, Catherine, to the young nobleman who eventually became King Henry III of Castile and Leon.

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Meanwhile, in England, war had nearly broken out between the followers of King Richard II and the followers of Gloucester. John returned in 1389 and resumed his role as peacemaker.

His wife Constance died in 1394, and two years later he married his mistress, Katherine Swynford. In 1397 he obtained legitimization of the four children born to her before their marriage. This family, the Beauforts, played an important part in 15th-century politics. When John died in 1399, Richard II confiscated the Lancastrian estates, thereby preventing them from passing to John’s son, Henry Bolingbroke. Henry then deposed Richard and in September 1399 ascended the throne as King Henry IV.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster

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