John, Count of Soissons and Enghien

Jean de Bourbon, Count of Soissons and Enghien (6 July 1528 or 1526 – 10 or 15 August 1557) was a French prince du sang from the House of Bourbon-Vendome (a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty).

Biography


John (Jean) de Bourbon was born at La Fère as the fourth son of Charles, Duke of Vendome and his wife Françoise d'Alençon. He became Count of Enghien after the accidental death of his elder brother Francis in 1546. On 14 June 1557, he married Mary of Bourbon, the daughter of the duke of Estouteville. His marriage with Mary produced no children.

Military career
During King Henry II's intervention in the War of Parma in 1551, John was sent, along with his brother the prince of Condé, to Piedmont with reinforcements to strengthen the French army. Later during the Italian War of 1551–1559, he was killed at the Battle of Saint-Quentin in 1557; his heart was buried at Gaillon afterwards.