John of Gaunt - The Red Prince of Lancaster

John of Gaunt, the first Duke of Lancaster, was a prominent figure in English history during the 14th century. Known as "The Red Prince of Lancaster" due to his ruddy complexion, he was the fourth son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault. Gaunt played a significant role in English politics, serving as a regent for his nephew, King Richard II, and leading military campaigns against France during the Hundred Years' War. He was also a patron of the arts and literature, supporting the works of Geoffrey Chaucer and other notable writers of the era. John of Gaunt's political alliances and territorial claims, particularly his pursuit of the Castilian throne through his marriage to Constance of Castile, contributed to the instability and eventual deposition of King Richard II, leading to the rise of the House of Lancaster and the subsequent Wars of the Roses.

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