John III, Duke of Cleves
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John III the Peaceful, Duke of Cleves and Mark (John III, Duke of Cleves; John I, Duke of Jülich-Berg; German: Johann III der Friedfertige, Herzog von Kleve-Jülich-Berg; 10 November 1490 – 6 February 1538/9) was a son of John II der Kindermacher, Duke of Cleves and Mark and Matilda of Hesse.
Johann III became Regent of the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg in 1521, and Lord of Ravensberg in 1528. He was a great-great-grandson of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy. His wife was Maria, Duchess of Jülich-Berg.
Johann represented a compensatory attitude, which strove for a via media, a middle way, between the two confessions during the Protestant Reformation.
[edit] Family
In 1509, he married Maria of Jülich-Berg, daughter of Duke William IV of Jülich-Berg, who became heiress to her father's estates Jülich, Berg and Ravensberg. They had the following children:
- Sybille (17 January 1512 – 21 February 1554), married John Frederick, Elector of Saxony, head of the Protestant Confederation of Germany, "Champion of the Reformation".
- Anne (22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557), who was briefly married to Henry VIII, King of England, as his fourth wife.
- Wilhelm, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (28 July 1516 – 5 January 1592), married Maria, Archduchess of Austria, daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
- Amelia (17 October 1517 – 1 March 1586), unmarried
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| Preceded by William IV, Duke of Jülich-Berg |
Duke of Jülich-Berg 1511–39 |
Succeeded by William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg |
| Count of Ravensberg 1511–39 |
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| Preceded by John II, Duke of Cleves |
Duke of Cleves Count of Mark 1521–39 |
