John I, Count of Holstein-Kiel


John I, Count of Holstein-Kiel was a member of the House of Schauenburg. He was Count of Holstein-Kiel from 1261 until his death.

Life

John was the eldest son of Count Adolf IV of Schauenburg and Holstein and his wife Heilwig of Lippe. After his father retired to the monastery in 1239, John ruled jointly with his younger brother Gerhard I, initially under regency. He was constantly embroiled in disputes with his brother and the Bishop of Minden. In 1255, they signed a trade agreement with Lübeck.
In 1261, the county was divided. John received Wagria, East Holstein and Segeberg; his brother received Stormarn, Plön and Schaumburg. John chose Kiel as his residence; Gerhard chose Itzehoe. When Denmark ceded Rendsburg, it went to Gerhard.
John died in 1263. After his death, his sons ruled jointly under the regency of their uncle Gerhard. However, in 1273, they divided their territory into Holstein-Segeberg and Holstein-Kiel. When Adolf died without an heir in 1308, the two parts were reunited.

Seal

The inscription in his seal read: S * IOH * IS * STORM Comitis WAGRIE * ARIA * ET * HOLTSACIE.
In the middle: SCOVENBG COMES

Marriage and issue

John married in 1249 or 1250 to Elisabeth, a daughter of Duke Albert I of Saxony. They had six children.