John III, Count of Holstein-Plön
Johann III. mildness ( * ca 1297, † September 27, 1359 ) was Count of Holstein- Kiel ( 1316-1359 ) and Count of Holstein - Plön ( 1314-1359 ).
Life
Johann III. was the son of Gerhard II, and his wife Agnes of Brandenburg.
When his father's death, his land between his brother and him was divided: his brother Gerhard IV († 1317 ) was Segeberg, John III. Holstein - Plön. With his cousin Gerhard III. he went on, in alliance with the knights against the wagrische line. At the tip of the needle Federal Hartwig stood by Reventlow, who raided the castle and Segeberger Mitgraf Adolf killed in 1315. Johann III. replied by Gerhard III. possession. among disregard of his father John II, and was given to round out its territory Preetz and Neumünster After the death of John II in 1321 he also received the castle in Kiel.
During the Battle of Gransee between mecklenburger princes under Henry the Lion, along with Danish troops and the Margrave of Brandenburg in Brandenburg, he became temporarily captivity. In the turmoil after King Erik Menveds death in 1319 he took as his half-brother of King Christopher II a in its favor. He received in 1326 by the new king, and in 1328 by the exiled king as a hereditary Fehmarn and Lolland -Falster pledged. King Christopher II also reached with the Mecklenburg help the return and entered 1329 still very careful drying and non- pledged part of Zealand to Johann from. The fact Denmark reigning Count Gerhard III. 1340 was killed by rebel Jutland knights who had the Swedish king Magnus called to help.
Johann III. admitted Magnus paid his strongholds and triggers the Gerhard III. imprisoned Danish King Christopher II again and gave him Nykøbing and Falster, where he died in 1332. After the assassination Gerhards III. he sat with Brandenburg Help Christopher son Valdemar IV Atterday to the Danish throne, to whom he lost in 1346 and Lolland Zealand again.
Both Count Gerhard III. and John III. prepared the association of Schleswig and Holstein.
Marriages and descendants
Johann was married twice. His first wife was Catherine ( † 1327 ), daughter of Duke Heinrich Glogau III. and widow of the Margrave Johann V. von Brandenburg ( 1302-1317 ). From this connection emerged:
- His son and successor Adolf VII ( Holstein Kiel) († 1390 ).
- His daughter Agnes († 1386 ), married Duke Erich II of Saxe -Lauenburg († 1368/1369 ).
- Mechthild (after 1341 ) with Nicholas III. married Werle Prince of Wenden.
- Elizabeth was married to his brother Bernhard II.
His second wife was Merislawa of Wittenburg, daughter of Count Nikolaus von Wittenburg.
Seal
(. see figure ) inscription: S ( igillum ) * IOHIS * D ( E) I * GRA ( TIA) * COMIT (IS) * HOLTZACIE * STORM ( ARIA ) * ET * SCOWENBORCH (Seal of John of God's grace, Count of Holstein stormarn and looking castle )