John III, Marquis of Montferrat

John III Palaeologus (c. 1362 – 25 August 1381) was the Margrave of Montferrat from 1378 to his death. He was the second son of John II of Montferrat and Isabella of Majorca and brother and successor of Secondotto. On 3 January 1379, John III was installed as margrave under the regency of his uncle Otto, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen.

John III, Marquis of Montferrat
Marquis of Montferrat
Reign	1378–1381
Predecessor	Otto III Palaiologos
Successor	Theodore II Palaiologos
Born	c. 1362
Died	(1381-08-25)25 August 1381
Noble family	Palaeologus-Montferrat
Father	John II, Marquis of Montferrat
Mother	Isabella of Majorca

Desirous of avenging his brother's death and recuperating the territory lost in the aftermath of Secondotto's retreat, John declared war on the Visconti of Milan, but was forced to sign a peace before fighting had begun, under the pressure of the Antipope Clement VII of Avignon, who wished to have Otto of Brunswick at his court. Otto consequently signed the treaty and confirmed the borders of the margraviate during his absence. In order to guarantee the survival of the margraviate, Otto placed it under the protection of the Kingdom of France.

Later, John followed Otto to the court of the Kingdom of Naples, but during his absence troubles arose. When Charles III was declared King of Naples and Joan I successively fled, John and Otto found themselves fully immersed in the war over the Neapolitan succession and unable to return to Montferrat. On 25 August 1381, they were involved in a battle in which Otto was captured and the young John slain. He was succeeded by his younger brother Theodore II, Marquis of Montferrat.

Ancestry

Ancestors of John III, Marquis of Montferrat

16. Michael VIII Palaiologos 8. Andronikos II Palaiologos 17. Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina 4. Theodore I, Marquis of Montferrat 18. William VII, Marquis of Montferrat 9. Irene of Montferrat 19. Beatrice of Castile 2. John II, Marquis of Montferrat 20. Sbaralia Spinola 10. Opicino Spinola 5. Argentina Spinola 22. Thomas I, Marquis of Saluzzo 11. Violante of Saluzzo 23. Luigia di Ceva 1. John III, Marquis of Montferrat 24. James II of Majorca 12. Ferdinand of Majorca 25. Esclaramunda of Foix 6. James III of Majorca 26. Isnard de Sabran 13. Isabelle de Sabran 27. Margaret of Villehardouin 3. Isabella of Majorca 28. James II of Aragon 14. Alfonso IV of Aragon 29. Blanche of Anjou 7. Constance of Aragon 30. Gombald d'Entença 15. Teresa d'Entença 31. Constance of Attillon

Sources

• Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani LV Ginammi – Giovanni da Crema. Caravale, Mario (ed). Rome, 2000.

Preceded by Otto III	Margrave of Montferrat 1378–1381	Succeeded by Theodore II