Background
He was the son of Nicholas IV and Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin. As he was still a minor when he inherited Werle, his mother put him under the guardianship of Duke Albert II of Mecklenburg.
He was the son of Nicholas IV and Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin. As he was still a minor when he inherited Werle, his mother put him under the guardianship of Duke Albert II of Mecklenburg.
However, a dispute arose between Albert II and John"s mother, and she then chose Lord Nicholas III of Werle-Güstrow as his guardian. After Nicholas"s death, John IV ruled for himself. The marriage was planned for 1379, when she would be 17 years old.
However, John IV died in 1374, so the marriage never took place.
He died in 1374, unmarried and childless. With his death, the Werle-Goldberg line died out and Werle-Goldberg fell to Bernard II of Werle-Güstrow.
He was probably buried in the Doberan Minster.