John I, Duke of Alençon

Jean I, Duke of Alencon
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Spouse(s)	Marie of Brittany
Noble family	Valois-Alençon
Father	Peter II of Alençon
Mother	Marie de Chamaillard
Born	1385 Château d'Essay
Died	25 October 1415(1415-10-25) Azincourt

Coat of arms of the counts of Perche.

File:A Chronicle of England - Page 367 - The King Attacked by the Duke of Alencon.jpg

John I of Alençon fights against Henry of England and Edward of York at the Battle of Agincourt.

John I of Alençon, called the Sage (1385 – 25 October 1415), was a French nobleman, killed at the Battle of Agincourt.

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 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:

1. Pierre d'Alençon (1407, Argentan – 1408)
2. Jean d'Alençon, Duke of Alençon (1409–1476)
3. Marie d'Alençon (1410, Argentan, – 1412, Argentan)
4. Jeanne d'Alençon (1412, Argentan – 1420)
5. Charlotte d'Alençon (1413, Argentan – 1435, Lamballe)

He also had two illegitimate children:

1. Pierre d'Alençon (d. 1424, Battle of Verneuil), Lord of Gallandon
2. Marguerite d'Alençon, married Jean de St-Aubin, Lord of Preaux

Sources

John I, Duke of Alençon House of Valois-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