He was the son Prince Nicholas I of Mecklenburg-Werle and his wife Princess Jutta of Anhalt the daughter of Prince Henry I of Anhalt and his wife Princess Irmgard of Thuringia [REF].
Henry and his brother ruled jointly until 1283 when Henry founded the principality of Mecklenburg-Güstrow while John took up residence in the principality of Mecklenburg-Parchim which he ruled jointly with Prince Pribislaw II [REF].