John III of Brabant

John III (1300–1355) was Duke of Brabant and Limburg from 1312, the last man of his line to rule them. He inherited heavy debts: the towns would pay them only if he honoured the Charter of Kortenberg and granted new privileges. He married Marie of Évreux in 1311.

As Brabant's trade clashed with France's wish to isolate Flanders, he backed Edward III at the start of the Hundred Years' War. Philip VI answered by seizing Brabantine goods in France; Brussels rose against its duke, and John put the revolt down and had a ringleader beheaded.

From 1340 he turned to France, marrying his daughters to the rulers of Luxembourg, Flanders and Guelders. All three sons died before him, so he named his daughter Joanna heiress. His death in 1355 brought a succession crisis.