JOHN, DUKE OF BEDFORD (1389-1435), was the third son of King Henry IV, and was created Duke of Bedford in 1415.

In 1416 he distinguished himself by defeating the French fleet, and in the next year commanded an expedition to Scotland to avenge the "Foul Raid". During Henry V's absence in France, Bedford was appointed Lieutenant of England, and on his death-bed Henry constituted him Regent of France.

To cement the Burgundian alliance, Bedford, in 1422, married the sister of the Duke of Burgundy, and by the vigour and ability of his administration the English not only succeeded in maintaining their conquests for several years, but even gained ground upon their enemies. In 1424 he won the great victory of Verneuil; but the relief of Orleans interfered with the progress of the English arms, and in revenge for the powerful aid she had given to the enemy, Bedford caused Joan of Arc when she fell into his hands to be burned to death as a witch.

In 1432 his wife died, and in the next year he maried Jacquetta of Luxemburg, thereby increasing Burgundy's estrangement from the English. In home affairs Bedford was always ready to act as the mediator between Gloucester and Beaufort, and by his influence over the former was able to restrain his reckless and extravagant disposition to a certain degree. The latter years of Bedford's life were embittered by the follies of Gloucester, the successes of the French, and the defection of Burgundy. With him perished all hopes of English supremacy in France, and all chance of retaining even Normandy and Guienne.

A brave soldier, a skilful general, a prudent and far-sighted politician, and, taken altogether, a just and merciful governor, Bedford had in him many of the elements of greatness. The greatest blot on Bedford's memory is the treatment of Joan of Arc. But, if we except this episode, Bedford was seldom guilty either of harshness or impolicy.

(F. S. Pulling)

The Dictionary of English History. Sidney J. Low and F. S. Pulling, eds.
London: Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1910. 162-163.

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Other Local Resources:

• Hundred Years' War
  
  
• House of Lancaster
  
• King Henry IV
  
• King Henry V
  
• Joan of Arc
  
• Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
  
• Cardinal Henry Beaufort
  

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Books for further study:

Seward, Desmond. The Hundred Years War: The English in France 1337-1453.
           Penguin, 1999.

Williams, E. Carlton. My Lord of Bedford, 1389-1435: Being a Life
           of John of Lancaster, First Duke of Bedford, Brother to King Henry V.
           Longmans, 1965.

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