John of Gaunt
John of Gaunt (1340–1399), duke of Lancaster. John was the patron of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer and the religious reformer John Wycliffe. The “Gaunt” in his name is for his birthplace, Ghent, in Flanders. He was the fourth son of King Edward in of England. He married Blanche of Lancaster in 1359 and was created duke of Lancaster in 1362. After the Hundred Years' War was resumed in 1369, John often commanded armies in France, but with poor results. During Edward's last years, 1371–77, John held the actual power in England; his rule was corrupt and unpopular.
John's eldest son overthrew King Richard II in 1399 and ruled England as Henry IV. One of John's daughters became queen of Castile and another, queen of Portugal.