Background
Born at Leuven, he was the son of Henry III, Duke of Brabant and Aleidis of Burgundy, daughter of Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy.
Born at Leuven, he was the son of Henry III, Duke of Brabant and Aleidis of Burgundy, daughter of Hugh IV, Duke of Burgundy.
He was also an older brother of Maria of Brabant, Queen consort of Philip III of France. His greatest military victory was the Battle of Worringen 1288, by which John I came to reign over the Duchy of Limburg. He was completely outnumbered in forces but led the successful invasion into the Rhineland to defeat the confederacy.
In 1288 Limburg was formally attached to Brabant.
John I was said to be a model of feudal prince: brave, adventurous. Excelling in every form of active exercise, fond of display, and generous in temper.
He was considered one of the most gifted princes of his time. This made him very popular in Middle Ages poetry and literature.
Even today there exists an ode to him, so well known that it was a potential candidate to be the North Brabant anthem.
John I delighted in tournaments and was always eager to take part in jousts. He was also famous for his many illegitimate children. On 3 May 1294 at some marriage festivities at Bar-le-Duc (now France), John I was mortally wounded in the arm in an encounter by Pierre de Bausner.
The duke is remembered in a folkish song that remains popular.
His name and image also survive in the lager beer of the Haacht brewery, named Primus.