[See also: AURAY; BRITTANY; CHARLES V THE WISE; CHARLES DE BLOIS;
CLISSON; GUÉRANDE; HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR; LANCASTER, DUKES OF;
LAVAL; MONTFORT]
Jones, Michael, ed. Recueil des actes de Jean IV, duc de Bretagne. 2 vols. Paris: Klincksieck,
1980–83.
——. Ducal Brittany 1364–1399: Relations with England and France During the Reign of Duke
John IV. London: Oxford University Press, 1970.
——. The Creation of Brittany: A Late Medieval State. London: Hambledon, 1988.
JEAN IV
(1389–1442). Duke of Brittany. Jean succeeded his father, Jean IV, in 1399. Despite
moments of crisis, notably in 1420, when he was held captive for five months by Olivier,
count of Penthièvre, in a further twist in the story of the rivalry for the ducal throne after
1341, Jean’s reign was less dramatic than that of Jean IV. Internally, the duke’s authority
was seldom challenged. Taking advantage of the factional quarrels that undermined the
French crown and allowed the English to establish their rule in northern France, Jean V
normally avoided too close a commitment to any cause and oscillated between an Anglo-
Burgundian and a French alliance for many years. This enabled Brittany to avoid the
worst consequences of the Anglo-French war. From the vantage point of the early 16th
century, the chronicler Alain Bouchart saw Jean’s reign as a peaceful golden age.
How far he was personally responsible for this is controversial. Jean V is a shadowy
personality when compared with his father or his younger brother, Arthur III (r. 1457–
58), who was constable of France 1425–58. The events of 1420 left their mark and
encouraged a caution sometimes interpreted as timidity. Recent research shows that the
economic advantages of neutrality were not as great as once assumed. Nevertheless, the
consolidation and strengthening of the administration begun by Jean IV continued, ably
directed by Jean de Malestroit (chancellor, 1408–43) and outstanding financial officers
like Jean de Mauléon (trésorier de l’épargne, 1405–44). Reform of the army began in
1424–25, and Brittany made diplomatic contacts with many powers in western Europe,
especially to promote trade. The ceremonial aspects of ducal rule received new emphasis
by a coronation service (1401), reorganization of the household along Burgundian lines
(1405), adoption of the title Dei gratia in the ducal style, continuing appointments to the
Order of the Ermine, and the issue of a gold coinage. When he died, Jean V was exposed
“in his royal habit” in imitation of French royal practice. By his marriage to Jeanne de
France, he had three sons and four daughters; the future prosperity of his house seemed
ensured.
Michael C.E.Jones
[See also: BRITTANY; JEAN IV; RICHEMONT, ARTHUR DE]
Blanchard, René, ed. Lettres et mandements de Jean V, duc de Bretagne. 5 vols. Nantes: Société
des Bibliophiles Bretons, 1889–95.
Kerhervé, Jean. L’état breton aux 14e et 15e siècles: les ducs, l’argent et les hommes. 2 vols. Paris:
Maloine, 1987.
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