Bedford John Dukeof

Bedford, John, Duke of, the third son of Henry IV., was born in 1389. His brother Henry V. on his death-bed (1422) bequeathed to him the task of consolidating the English power in France as regent, and this duty he endeavoured to fulfil. Marrying a daughter of the Duke of Burgundy he established himself in Paris, and defeated the Dauphin at Crevant and Verneuil. But the pacific policy of Cardinal Beaufort deprived him of aid from England, and the designs of the Duke of Gloucester on Hainault alienated the Duke of Burgundy. At this moment Joan of Arc infused new life into the patriotic cause, and Bedford was forced to abandon the siege of Orleans. Though he drove back the Dauphin from Paris, captured the Maid and consigned her to the stake, he never succeeded in regaining his old supremacy. On the death of his wife he concluded a marriage which finally estranged the Duke of Burgundy, who opened up negotiations with Charles VII. Bedford, worn out with disappointment and anxiety, died in 1435 and was buried at Rouen.