John of Gaunt - The Red Prince of Lancaster Documentary 

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This is my 21st great grandfather. There are millions of us related to this guy.

To me John of Gaunt was a unsung hero. Glad you did a documentary on him.

There was a very real affection between John and his elder brother, the Black Prince. John was ever loyal to his brother and nephew. The not the "greatest of Henry's sons, he was the most steadfast. He was the most consistent.His entire life was in a straight line. Never wavering.

The man, who did all the dirty work, but was never thanked for it. His energy and tenacity in resolving difficulties are quite admirible. This was no some lazy nobleman who cares only for entertaiments and hunting. Thank you so much as usual! I've been waiting for this guy since you made a documentary on Edward III.

Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of John in ‘The Hollow Crown’ roughly aligns with this fantastic documentary and certainly for me to give it a bit more context. I would agree that John of Gaunt probably was the most important and influential nobleman of his day .. and with the help of fate, hid did turn out to be the greatest of the sons of Edward III.

John of Gaunt has been my favourite for many many years!!!!! Thank you so much for such a great documentary highlighting how amazing he truly was.

One of my favorite historical figures. Wish we had more information/documentation on him

There is one another fact, not mentioned in the biography of John of Gault. One of his daugthers, Philipa, was married to John I of Portugal. Her sons would be famed in Portuguese history, as the fair generation. Her youngest son, Henry, known throughout as The Navigator, would launch the great Portuguese discoveries. Congrtulations for your fine job!

It's impressive that someone positioned to potentially eliminate a potentate to boost his own power, would opt not to, even though it seems he would have had broad support. Such restraint is admirable. This was excellent. I'll have to watch it again in the near future.

I was not expecting this choice. An underrated pick. Good job in choosing this one.

Another great book about John of Gaunt and his relationship with Katherine Swynford called Katherine by Anya Seton. I first read it when I was a junior in high school about 40 years ago and it's still one of my very favorite books.

I fell in love with the Duke as a pre-teen, after reading Katherine by Anya Seaton. As an adult I am aware that the book is, at best, historical fiction. However, a love story such as his will always stir my heart.

Thrilled to see one of the most underrated and overshadowed royal princes receive his day in the sun! Helen Carr's biography on John, "The Red Prince", is a great read. Hopefully you guys will decide to give another under-appreciated prince, Gaunt's grandson; John, Duke of Bedford the attention he deserves in one of your extraordinary videos!

I think John of Gaunt was pivotal in English history but a true, loyal subject.

I never expected a documentary about one of the most overlooked princes.

I love the narrator's clear and intelligent diction… These historical videos are very, very interesting. Thank you.

He played a role in many historical subjects, religion, literature, military, the political turmoil of Richard II's reign, and of course his dynastic legacy. I found it very valuable to revisit all of this from the perspective of a biography of the man, who previously I had known from his involvement in disparate topics.

John of Gaunt was a standup dude! Also the ancestor of both kings at Bosworth Field.

John of Gaunt is one of my mum's favourite royals. She'll be delighted to watch this!

I am so glad to finally hear more about the story of John of Gaunt. Like many people, today, I find various ancestral paths linking my self to him, and seeing the image of him given in the " portrait commissioned in c. 1593 by Sir Edward Hoby for Queenborough Castle, Kent, probably modelled on Gaunt's tomb effigy in Old St Paul's Cathedral", I felt he held a certain unique personality and character. It's good to know he was not considered an "evil" person, but actually accomplished a lot, even bowing to compromise, whe necessary. Thank you for this excellent documentary.

Fascinating . Understanding John of Gaunt allowed me to make connections I never had before.

I also read Katherine by Anya Seton in Grade 10. Interesting that so many royal families were descendants of John of Gaunt.

👍 This is the only historical effort of dozens that I've read/seen to have done such detailed research on these Royal figures, down to childhood experiences and even who washed the babies' nappies. That's digging for appreciated minutiae.

So nice to hear this documentary. This gave me some new insight to my 19th Great Grandfather. Thank you for this documentary.

Outstanding telling of the Red Prince's life and accomplishments. He and Marshal are two of the only Englishmen I admire.

The amount of effort you guys put into this channel…thank you! I love it all!

Certainly the greatest and most noble man of his time, beset by the jealousies of lesser men. He was too noble of character to be king but gave his descendants the belief in their own heritage. His associations with the greatest religious and literary men of his time show his intellectual greatness and further distinguish him as one of the greatest Englishmen of all time. Sadly, he has no modern equal.

He is the “son of Edward III” I most respect. Truly committed to duty, loyal to Richard II all the way, despite the latter’s constant betrayal, all in all, a great man (I feel only for Constance of Castile :’)

Hell yeah, thanks for posting this big dog!

Im glad I hit up on this documentary because from ever since I have been following English history from I was a teen, I have read John of Gaunt was some kind of failure from many books, an unsuccessful prince who didnt quite measure up to his big brother Edward. Now I see he was indeed successful as the third son could be. He at least kept his head while others were losing theirs. He has now joined Athelstan, Henry I Beauclerc, and Henry VII as my favourite underrated English nobles.

John of Gaunt was one of the earliest causes of my fascination with English History, and the book Katherine by Anya Seaton was one of my favorites. I later majored on English Lit and English History in college, and still read considerable in both decades after graduation.

I LOVE HISTORY!!! literally can’t get enough. 🥰

It was so nice to hear about his entire life and not just his affair with Katherine Swynford. Most books tend to talk more about his affair with her

Thanks so much for posting, very well done and the narration is perfect!

There's really a lot of beautiful videos, of babies, children, women and men and landscapes, in these series of documentaries. Really good job to whomever made them. This channel really deserve more subscribers, with such a high quality of narration, pictures and video.

Brilliant at every level! As much a lesson in history, as one on how to structure history lessons. Thank you indeed.

He’s my ancestor glad you did a documentary on him.

Forget Warwick, John of Gaunt was the true King and Queen maker. Thank you for this doc on John of Gaunt. I can’t understand why this man is not feted in the History of England.

My matriarchal ancestry traces back to John of Gaunt. Thank you for this informative documentary.

There is a John of Gaunt window at Agecroft Hall in Richmond, VA. Agecroft Hall is a Tudor home brought over from England and rebuilt on the James River in Richmond, VA. I enjoyed the video - Thanks

I have read every book I could find about John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford. What impressed me the most was the way he showed his love for Katherine. He was extremely generous to her even when she was his mistress. It has also been pointed out that he was not the average royal man during the Middle Ages but was considered exceptionally kind and gentle toward Katherine. This has impressed me more than all his military achievements.

The only other person as loyal to the English Crown was the iconic great knight, William the Marshall. I've often thought, in so many ways, the two men very similar.

Thank you for this documentary, it seems that most documentaries pass over John of Gaunt. I see many of the comments, we became interested in this period, through, Anya Seton's book Katherine, a time in history, which is always interesting. Thank you to the Narrator, 💐💐

I don't know why I'm drawn to this topic so much as an Irish man. It must be your great delivery and undoubtedly amazing story telling ability. Thank you.

I love these Documentaries on the PLANTAGENETS. John of Gaunt was my 16th Great Grandfather and Katherine Swynfort was my 16th Great Grandmother..So interesting about the MIDIEVIL TIMES. I am also related to The Nevilles. My 13th Great Grandmother was Alice Neville (sister of Richard Neville, the King Maker)..

JoG was my favorite Plantagenet. Thanks for this.

Excited for this one-thanks for the effort you put into these.

John of Gaunt has always interested me. Edward III had so many children but the only two sons who made their mark were The Black Prince and John.

Very interesting. A great man. I read the Anya Seaton book years ago. A good love story. Allegedly Catherine was Geoffrey Chaucer's sister in law. Chaucer worked for John of Gaunt.

As a descendant of John of Gaunt, I found this documentary to be quite enlightening. Thank you very much.

It would make one hell of a movie, if they could fit every thing in.

Excellent documentary as ever. Thanks.

I first learned about John of Gaunt when I read a novel based on his third wife, Katherine. Since then, I have tried to learn everything I can about them and their descendants. I understood that John petitioned the pope to legitimize the children he had with Katherine when the two married. Such a fascinating time in English history.

You deserve at least 1m views per video with all this effort. 👍

This narrator is my favorite!

It was John of Gaunt that bridged Medieval England into the Renaissance. His support of Wycliff, Henry Chaucer and marriage to a commoner laid the foundations for a flourishing England out of the War of the Roses. In a way he also set the course of Spain (Castile) and shaped that nation (with Portugal) on its path to World discovery.

This was truly fabulous and really helped illuminate my understanding of this period, and also of rhe nature of the Wars of the Roses. Thank you!

In watching this it is apparent that if John of Gaunt wanted to be King of England he would have succeeded.

Fascinating! I recently read the book of the same name, which was also excellent, & it was great to have this as a counterpart & addition. John's often only looked at dynastically, as the father of the Lancastrians & the Tudors, but he's a really interesting character in his own right, & he was a hugely important figure in English (& European) politics during his lifetime, & it's been awesome to learn about all that.

A very good programme about a very under rated character of the Middle Ages. I am sure many were just waiting for him to take over the throne from a very inadquate Richard but instead he remained loyal to the end. I have often wondered what would have happened if he had treated Bolingbroke fairly and not tried to alienate him and deprive him of his inheritance. Richard must have been truly dim.

Excellent documentary. Thank you, I enjoyed it. John of Gaunt was my distant grandfather.

Such a great biography…thank you very much. A minor correction though: John was not born in Beaufort but in Ghent. He owned a castle named Beaufort prior to the birth of his children by Katherine Swynford who got their surname from this castle….🤓😉☺️

Susan Howatch's book "The Wheel of Fortune" updates the story of the Plantagenets. John is a pivotal character.

Thank you for this gem of documentary!!! I never expected to watch a documentary about one of my favourite ancestors ❤

Love this video! I descend from John's daughter Joan Beaufort/Neville w/ Kathryn Swynford. I always like hearing about him. Some day I hope to come to the UK and see their resting places. :)

He questioned the authority of the church and therefore dangerous to the establishment. I think he would've made a great king if given half a chance.

Excellent biography. Thank you!

A great video about a fascinating man. Would you consider going a bit further by looking into the Beaufort uncles who so ably assisted John of Gaunt's grandson, Henry V? There was great strength and success here, both militarily and diplomatically, forged by the family loyalty and talent of John and his descendants. It is said that perhaps 80% of the English today are descendants of Edward III. Have to wonder how many are descended from John of Gaunt.

John of Gaunt had his daughter Filipa married with the Portuguese King D. João I Mestre de Avis. Filipa was a princess who came from England and conquered the Portuguese. The marriage with the master of Avis represented a new dynasty in the history of Portugal. D. Filipa gave the kingdom notable children, brought new habits to the court and supported the expedition to Ceuta. After having himself proclaimed king in courts convened in Coimbra, D. João I needed to be recognized in Europe as the new Portuguese monarch. The first to do so officially was the Pope of Rome, when he approved the marriage with the daughter of John of Gaunt, granddaughter of King Edward III of England. The link thus served to legitimize the still fragile reign of the master of Avis and to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The alliance generated a dynasty that stood out in the history of Portugal.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, because as an European, I love to hear the complicated history of those seemingly impossible Middle Ages, and also I am having a hard time with a few names for all the kings/regents.

I can only imagine that he was not only smart, but physically strong too! He seems to have been chosen over his brother Lionel for military service, supported by the fact he did not survive! He was lucky to inherit the duchy of Lancaster, as it seems they did not have the healthiest genes! No rest, war again, with a smarter French heir, not unexpected! John of Castile, another handy marriage, definitely lucky! 😄 Living in tents, without proper provisions, sanitation and support, not exactly the Royal splendor he had earned! 😒 More wasted scirmishes, at least he stayed healthy!! 🥱 John founded English stability and kept the country going, he proved his loyalty to family numerous times! Such ridiculous rumours, "the peasants are revolting" and ignorant! John was absolutely in the right, and was obviously an open minded and deeply logical thinker, a rare and stable individual in those days - encouraging Chaucer's works too! Good old John, back to work, harry the Scots, go seek alliances and deals! 👍 Richard was clearly hopeless left alone, not a fit ruler! John obviously wasn't ambitious for the English crown, but sought his own place, he should have been allowed to! His son Henry was more suited to rule than Richard, a stronger man, a family tragedy though! Yes, the spare Beaufort children, just upstarts!! Peace with Scotland, at least! "The War of the Roses", John could have prevented all of this by staying home more! The usurping Tudors were very ruthless! So sad for John of Gaunt, he deserved a lot more respect and support, and time at peace, and at home! 😪 Edward's most worthy son! 👍🤗

I'm a direct descendant of John of Gaunt through Joan Beaufort. I truly enjoyed this biography and am grateful to be able to learn so much about my ancestor.

Fascinating doc, very well done. Gaunt ranks up there with Alfred the Great, William the Great, and Oliver Cromwell as the most powerful men of the Sceptered Isle.

I never learnt much of Medieval history at school. It was in a gap between Jethro Tull and 1750. Good program

Well, John of Gaunt displayed a level of honor not usually seen in the British, or any other, Aristocracy.

Impeccable content as usual my friend thank you for the history love!

The best doco about the red prince by far

John of Gant is called the kingmaker

EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY. JOHN GAUNT WAS EXTRAORDINARY AS A POLITICAL INFLUENCER , THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE!

Family history. Very interesting. I am partial since I am a direct descendant so I do think he was outstanding.

Thank you so much for this. I have long wanted to know more about this hound dog

"Bring out your dead!" "I'm not dead".

What an absolutely excellent documentary! Thank you very much.

I´ve always loved John of Gaunt since I studied medieval british history in school. I loved this bio. Thank you so much.

Excellent! I sincerely enjoyed every minute of this Documentary. Well done!

Brilliant work! Really enjoyed this it connected a few dots for me. 🌟

From another descendant 'thank you' for this wonderful interesting doco!!!.. (My 17GGF).. I read below there are many obvious distant cousins.. Hi.. incredible that we hail from all over the globe. History is amazing, what we know if it. There are truths and untruths and some unknowns...it is what it is. :-)

John of Gaunt was boss

Wycliffe is a figure I shall bear in mind from now on. A most intresting figure.

Excellent history - a truly fascinating character, and love how Katherine’s children eventually ended up as the Tudors. I believe he was loyal to the crown, and like that he supported John Wycliffe. What shines through are his ambitions, he could have married Katherine sooner, but didn’t for dynastic reasons, and abandoned J Wycliffe to save himself. A political operator.

Brilliant!

Phew, so much information in this documentary, I'm glad there isn't a test in the morning!

Sir John of Gaunt was a fierce supporter of the crown, an independent thinker, and a man of great passions.

You guys are really great with these docos, thanks heaps

Very important info I have never heard before.

As a direct descendant of John of Gaunt, and thereby a descendant of William the Conqueror my 27th great-grandfather, and King Alfred the Great, my 34th great-grandfather, being brought up all my remembered childhood in the village of Wedmore where King Alfred signed the Treaty of Wedmore with the Danes in 878 AD, that of course I agree John of Gaunt was a great English man. However you have made the case to see my 18th great-grandfather in a new and even more positive light, which is really appreciated. Charles Hunter

He was remarkably impactful. I have the benefit of several of his children as direct ancestors.

He was an amazing man. Thank you for so much information on this man.

Excellent presentation.