 He was also an older brother of Maria of Brabant, Queen consort of Philip III of France.In 1267 his older brother Henry IV, Duke of Brabant, being mentally deficient, was deposed in his favour.<ref name="EB445"></ref>

John's greatest military victory was the Battle of Worringen 1288, by which John I came to reign over the Duchy of Limburg.He was completely outnumbered in forces but led the successful invasion into the Rhineland to defeat the confederacy.