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Courtenay of Devon

Arms of early Courtenay Earls of Devon: Or, three torteaux a label azure. These are the ancient arms of the House of Courtenay adopted c.1200 at the start of the age of heraldry with a label for difference. These arms are among several depicted (or re-created) on the heavily restored tomb of the 10th (2nd) Earl in Exeter Cathedral, but they are shown (without tinctures) on the monumental brass also at Exeter of his son, Sir Peter Courtenay, where they are impaled with Bohun

CourtenayEffigiesExeterCathedral

Effigies of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon, and his wife, Margaret de Bohun, south transept, Exeter Cathedral.

  • 2nd/10th Earl of Devon
  • Veteran English officer of Hundred Years' War
  • Baron of Tiverton Castle
  • Baron of Okehampton Castle
  • 1373: Chief Warden of Devon

Hugh Courtenay was born 12 July 1303 in Devon, England to Hugh de Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (c1276-1340) and Agnes St. John (c1278-1345) and died 2 May 1377 Devon, England of unspecified causes. He married Margaret de Bohun (1311-1391) 1 August 1325 JL in England.

Biography

Sir Hugh de Courtenay, 2nd/10th Earl of Devon[1] (12 July 1303 – 2 May 1377),[2] 2nd Baron Courtenay, feudal baron of Okehampton[3] and feudal baron of Plympton,[4] played an important role in the Hundred Years War in the service of King Edward III. His chief seats were Tiverton Castle and Okehampton Castle in Devon. The ordinal number given to the early Courtenay Earls of Devon depends on whether the earldom is deemed a new creation by the letters patent granted 22 February 1334/5 or whether it is deemed a restitution of the old dignity of the de Redvers family. Authorities differ in their opinions,[5] and thus alternative ordinal numbers exist, given here.

Hugh de Courtenay, was a notable English nobleman and military commander during the Middle Ages. He was a member of the Courtenay family, an important and influential family in medieval England. Here are key aspects of his life and career:

  1. Early Life and Family Background: Hugh de Courtenay was born into the prestigious Courtenay family. His father, also named Hugh de Courtenay, was the 1st Earl of Devon, a title granted in 1335. His mother was Agnes de Saint John. The Courtenay family had significant landholdings and influence in the South West of England.
  2. Inheritance and Titles: Hugh inherited the earldom of Devon upon his father's death in 1340. This title came with considerable estates and responsibilities, including military duties to the crown.
  3. Military Career: Hugh de Courtenay played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. He served in several campaigns under King Edward III, including the Battle of Crecy in 1346 and the siege of Calais in 1347. His military service brought him considerable renown.
  4. Political Involvement: As a peer of the realm, Hugh was involved in the political machinations of the time. He attended Parliament and was involved in the governance of the country, especially in matters pertaining to the nobility and the administration of his estates.
  5. Character and Reputation: Historical accounts suggest that Hugh de Courtenay was a capable and respected nobleman. His military and political roles required a blend of leadership, diplomacy, and martial skills, all of which he seemed to possess.
  6. Death and Legacy: Hugh de Courtenay died on 2 May 1377. His title and estates were passed on to his descendants. The Courtenay family continued to play a significant role in English history, with many of his descendants holding the earldom of Devon and other titles. His legacy is a part of the broader tapestry of medieval English nobility, reflecting the complexities and dynamics of feudal society.

Hugh de Courtenay's life exemplifies the role of the English nobility in the Middle Ages, balancing responsibilities between their own estates, their loyalty to the king, and their involvement in the larger political and military affairs of the time.

Family Life

Hugh de Courtenay married Margaret de Bohun (1311-1391) in 1325. Margaret was the daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford, and Elizabeth of Rhuddlan, daughter of King Edward I. This marriage further strengthened the Courtenay family's ties to the English royal family. As was common in the medieval period, their marriage was not just a personal union but also a strategic alliance that helped to consolidate power and influence, linking two prominent noble families. Hugh and Margaret had a large family, with several sources indicating they had as many as 11 or more children, ensuring the continuation of the Courtenay Family.

The children of Hugh and Margaret de Courtenay played significant roles in various aspects of English medieval life. The Courtenay family remained influential in both the political and military spheres of England for generations. Their descendants continued to hold the Earl of Devon title and other significant positions, contributing to the political, military, and social history of England. These children included:

  1. Sir Hugh Courtenay: The eldest son, who predeceased his father. He was noted for his military service in France.
  2. Thomas Courtenay: He also had a notable military career.
  3. Edward Courtenay: Edward was a notable soldier and commander.
  4. Robert Courtenay: Died young.
  5. William Courtenay: William became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1381, reflecting the family's influence not just in politics and military but also in ecclesiastical circles.
  6. Philip Courtenay: Philip was involved in military and political affairs and held several important positions.
  7. Peter Courtenay: He had a career in both the military and in ecclesiastical roles.
  8. Humphrey Courtenay: Little is known about Humphrey.
  9. Margaret Courtenay: Married John Cobham, Baron Cobham.
  10. Elizabeth Courtenay (c1333-1395): Married 1st Sir John de Vere, the 7th Earl of Oxford. and 2nd to Andrew Luttrell (c1325-1395), by which she had issue.
  11. Katherine Courtenay: Married Thomas Engaine.


Children


Offspring of Sir Hugh Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon, KG and Margaret de Bohun (1311-1391)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Hugh Courtenay (1326-c1349)
Margaret Courtenay (c1326-1385)
Edward Courtenay (c1329-1372) 1329 1372 Emeline Dauney (?-?)
Thomas Courtenay (c1331-c1381)
Elizabeth Courtenay (c1333-1395) 1333 7 August 1395 John de Vere (c1325-1350)
Andrew Luttrell (c1325-1395)
Catherine Courtenay (Abt 1335-1399) 1335 Exeter, Devonshire, United Kingdom 31 December 1399 William Harrington (?-?)
Joan Courtenay (c1337-?)
Philip Courtenay (c1340-1406)
William Courtenay (1342-1396)
Matilda Courtenay (?-?)
Guinora Courtenay (1348-?)
Isabel Courtenay (?-?)
Phillipa Courtenay (?-?)
Anne Courtenay (Abt 1351-?)



Siblings


Offspring of Hugh de Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (c1276-1340) and Agnes St. John (c1278-1345)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Hugh Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon (1303-1377) 12 July 1303 Devon, England 2 May 1377 Devon, England Margaret de Bohun (1311-1391)
John Courtneay (c1305-c1349)
Eleanor Courtenay (c1309-c1330)
Robert Courtenay (c1309-c1334)
Thomas Courtenay (c1311-c1356)
Elizabeth Courtenay (c1313-)
Baldwin de Courtenay (Abt 1313-?)


See Also

External Links

Sources

  • Alison Weir, Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy (London, U.K.: The Bodley Head, 1999), page 84. Hereinafter cited as Britain's Royal Families.
  • G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant', new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume III, page 344. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.

Notable Ancestors

Notable Descendants


Vital Records

Exeter Cathedral Crypt

CourtenayTomb1

References

  1. ^ Ordinal number 2nd or 10th uncertain, depending on whether Courtenay earldom deemed a continuation of Redvers earldom or a new earldom
  2. ^ Richardson I 2011, p. 540.
  3. ^ Sanders, I.J. English Baronies: A Study of their Origin and Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960, p.70
  4. ^ Sanders, p.138
  5. ^ Watson, in Cokayne, The Complete Peerage, new edition, IV, p.324 & footnote (c): "This would appear more like a restitution of the old dignity than the creation of a new earldom"; Debrett's Peerage, however, gives the ordinal numbers as if a new earldom had been created. (Montague-Smith, P.W. (ed.), Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories Ltd, Kingston-upon-Thames, 1968, p.353)


Footnotes (including sources)

‡ General



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