The Tree of Europe · Person

John of Berry

«the Magnificent»

A major patron and collector in Valois France. The Très Riches Heures, commissioned from the Limbourg brothers, are the most celebrated example of his patronage.

1340 – 1416DukeValois · ES

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This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 30 November 1340 Documented

Death: 15 March 1416 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Valois · ES

Territories: France (ES) · Berry (ES) · Duchy of Auvergne (ES) · Poitou (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Duke · Berry · Duchy Pending review1360–1416Effective rule

Duke · Duchy of Auvergne · Duchy Documented1360–1416Effective ruleDuchy of the terre royale granted with Berry in 1360, distinct from the county and dauphinate of Auvergne.

Count · Poitou · County Documented1369–1416Effective ruleTitle granted in 1369; effective control extended only over recovered areas, with English possessions included after reconquest.

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

John II of FranceDocumentedBona of Luxembourg · ESPending review

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of John of Berry. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1369

BerryDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Berry · ESDuke · Effective rule1360–1416
Duchy of AuvergneDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Duchy of Auvergne · ESDuke · Effective rule1360–1416 · Duchy of the terre royale granted with Berry in 1360, distinct from the county and dauphinate of Auvergne.
PoitouCount
View titles and jurisdictions
- Poitou · ESCount · Effective rule1369–1416 · Title granted in 1369; effective control extended only over recovered areas, with English possessions included after reconquest.

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

7 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
30 November 1340
The authority record gives the birth as 1340-11-30.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jean, Berry, Herzog · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
15 March 1416
The authority record gives the death as 1416-03-15.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jean, Berry, Herzog · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (1/2 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
John II of France
The authority record identifies John II of France (GND 120193795) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Jean, Berry, Herzog · Relationships: father → GND 120193795
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherPending review
Bona of Luxembourg
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (2/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Duke · Berry · 1360–1416
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentDocumented
Duke · Duchy of Auvergne · 1360–1416
Duchy of the terre royale granted with Berry in 1360, distinct from the county and dauphinate of Auvergne.
Josiane Teyssot · Pouvoirs et contre-pouvoirs en Auvergne · Original research, 1992, pp. 247–260: grant of Berry and Auvergne in 1360 and Poitiers in 1369; royal domain of Riom distinct from the county and dauphinate of Auvergne.
Reviewed on 2026-10-13 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
Count · Poitou · 1369–1416
Title granted in 1369; effective control extended only over recovered areas, with English possessions included after reconquest.
Josiane Teyssot · Pouvoirs et contre-pouvoirs en Auvergne · Original research, 1992, pp. 247–260: grant of Berry and Auvergne in 1360 and Poitiers in 1369; royal domain of Riom distinct from the county and dauphinate of Auvergne.The Gascon Rolls Project · C61/86, 1373–1374 · Original edition of the registers: contraction of the duchy, the Black Prince's renunciation in 1372 and powers in the lands that remained English.
Reviewed on 2026-10-13 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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