John the Fearless

Profession: Duke of Burgundy

Nationality:

Biography: John the Fearless ruled the Duchy of Burgundy 1404-1419 with ruthlessness and cunning and played a major role in the politics of France in the 15th century. He inherited the title after the death of his father Philip the Bold, who was part of the royal house of Valois as the son of French King John II.

John earned the name "Fearless" after his efforts at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396 against Sultan Bayezid I. As Duke John the Fearless was at least partly responsible for provoking a civil war with Duke Louis I of Orleans, the two battling for influence over King Charles VI, who suffered from mental illness. Despite a negotiated peace with Orleans in 1407, John the Fearless had Louis killed just three days later.

John was notably absent from the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 against the English King Henry V and for a while courted forming an alliance with the English. Deciding to back the Armagnacs instead, John was himself assassinated in front of the Dauphin Charles on a bridge of Montereau, south of Paris in 1419.

Born: May 28, 1371
Birthplace: Ducal palace, Dijon, Burgundy
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: September 10, 1419 (aged 48)
Cause of Death: Assassinated by adherents of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.