John III, Duke of Cleves

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John III the Peaceful

John III the Peaceful, Duke of Cleves and Mark (John III, Duke of Cleves; John I, Duke of Jülich-Berg; German: Johann III der Friedfertige, Herzog von Kleve-Jülich-Berg; 10 November 1490 – 6 February 1538/9) was a son of John II der Kindermacher, Duke of Cleves and Mark and Matilda of Hesse.

John III became Regent of the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg in 1521, and Lord of Ravensberg in 1528. He was a great-great-grandson of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy. His wife was Maria, Duchess of Jülich-Berg.

John represented a compensatory attitude, which strove for a via media, a middle way, between the two confessions during the Protestant Reformation.

Family

In 1509, he married Maria of Jülich-Berg, daughter of Duke William IV of Jülich-Berg, who became heiress to her father's estates Jülich, Berg and Ravensberg. They had the following children:

1. Sybille (17 January 1512 – 21 February 1554), married John Frederick, Elector of Saxony, head of the Protestant Confederation of Germany, "Champion of the Reformation".
2. Anne (22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557), who was briefly married to Henry VIII, King of England, as his fourth wife.
3. Wilhelm, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (28 July 1516 – 5 January 1592), married Maria, Archduchess of Austria, daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
4. Amelia (17 October 1517 – 1 March 1586), unmarried

Sybille of Cleves by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

William of Cleves by Heinrich Aldegrever.

Anne of Cleves by Hans Holbein the Younger.

Unknown woman by Hans Holbein the Younger, thought to be Amelia of Cleves.

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