is the third surviving son of Edward IIJohn of Gaunt falls under the influence of Henry of Lancaster, who  offers him Blanche, his daughter.

John of Gaunt  comes to realise that this is a device to enable Henry of Lancaster the opportunity to get control of the kingdom. 

John refuses to co-operate, and this causes difficulties in his marriage.  

He meets Pipa when she joins the Queen’s household.

He is of course the Hero of Shakespeare’s play Richard II

"This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, 
this England...."