John III the Pitiless (1374 – 6 January 1425), of the House of Wittelsbach, was first bishop of Liège 1389–1418 and then duke of Bavaria-Straubing and count of Holland and Hainaut 1418–1425.
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Family
John was born in Le Quesnoy. He was the youngest son of Duke Albert I of Bavaria and Margaret of Brieg. His elder brother was William II, who succeeded their father as count of Holland, Zeeland and Hainault in 1404. His sister, Margaret, married Duke John the Fearless of Burgundy in 1385.
Bishop
As the youngest son of three, John was destined for a career in the church. At the age of 15, he became Prince-Bishop of Liège, with the support of Pope Boniface IX. John's rule was a disaster. His authoritarian style clashed with the nobles and burghers of the Prince-Bishopric. He was expelled several times and saw even a counter-bishop being elected. John turned for help to his brother and brother-in-law.
On 23 September 1408, a Burgundian army led by his brother-in-law John the Fearless went to the aid of John III against the citizens of Liège, who were in open revolt. During the battle just outside the village of Othee, a battle was fought which saw the men from Liège being decisively defeated. This led to the bishopric of Liège becoming a protectorate of Burgundy. John ordered the beheading of suspicious burghers and noblemen in Liège, while others were drowned in the Meuse, from then on he was called "the Pitiless".