John of Gaunt’s Rule Over Aquitaine and the Gascon Discontent (1389–1395)

After leaving Portugal for Aquitaine, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, remained in the province until returning to England in November 1389. This effectively removed him from the political turmoil in England, where King Richard II clashed with the Lords Appellant, led by John’s younger brother, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester.

John of Gaunt's Investiture as Duke of Aquitaine (March 1390)

• Upon his return to England, John of Gaunt was formally invested with the Duchy of Aquitaine in March 1390 by King Richard II.
• This appointment fulfilled John’s long-standing ambition for an overseas dominion but provoked resentmentamong the Gascon nobility.

Tensions in Aquitaine: Absentee Rule and Gascon Discontent

• Despite his new title, John of Gaunt did not immediately return to Aquitaine, instead governing through seneschals as an absentee Duke.
• His administration disappointed the local nobility, who had expected strong leadership from the English Crown itself.
• The Gascons resented the notion that Aquitaine was a fief that could be granted to a subject—traditionally, it had always been held directly by the King of England or his heir.

Crisis and John of Gaunt’s Return to Gascony (1394–1395)

• By 1394, dissatisfaction had reached a critical point, with threats of secession from the Gascon nobles.
• In response, John of Gaunt was forced to spend nearly a year (1394–95) in Gascony, attempting to restore authority and secure loyalty.
• His efforts to stabilize the duchy were largely unsuccessful, as resentment toward his rule persisted, contributing to the ongoing decline of English influence in France.

Impact and Consequences

• John of Gaunt’s ineffective administration of Aquitaine weakened English authority in Gascony, further eroding Plantagenet control in France.
• The Gascon nobles’ dissatisfaction foreshadowed future tensions, as English rule in Aquitaine continued to decline throughout the 15th century.
• Gaunt’s absence from England in 1394–95 also meant he played little role in Richard II’s growing political instability, which would ultimately lead to Richard’s deposition in 1399.

John of Gaunt’s tenure as Duke of Aquitaine (1390–1399) was marked by absentee rule, local resentment, and administrative failure, hastening the deterioration of English power in southwestern France.