Baron Courtenay
Encyclopedia
The Barony of Courtenay, called Baron Courtenay, was created in 1299. The Earldom was confirmed by King Edward III
and conferred on Hugh de Courtenay
, Earl of Devon
's summons to be a Lord of Parliament during his father
's lifetime on 23 April 1337. This was Edward III's first Parliament as an adult king in charge of his own rule, and all writs were codified in Latin; Hugh was styled Hugoni de Courteney juniori. The writ of title was originally by Edward I in 1299. His father died at Christmas
1340, whence Hugh became Earl of Devon. Cokayne discussed the summons and esoteric point as to whether the writ had its origination in 1337 or earlier. In essence the title was a courtesy for the Earldom, bestowed upon the eldest son and heir apparent.
's signature on the Magna Carta
as lords in Parliament. Writs of Summons, variously ascribed different nomenclature during the reigns of Henry III
and the Edwardian kings, were issued as warrants requiring a baron's presence at Parliament. In those days Parliament was a moveable feast; it sat where the King's Court happened to be on visitation. Famous Parliaments sat in the North of England at Lincoln
, Carlisle and York
; Parliaments in the south have sat at Gloucester
and Oxford
. Henry of Winchester wanted to build a new Royal Palace at that City and move the government to the south coast. But the Civil War with de Montfort interrupted proceedings suspending all Parliaments under the new Model Parliament. Landowners like de Courteney were ennobled as great landowners; as a perquisite for parliamentary privilege. In his case, being descended from Norman kinship with the monarch elevation was a natural progression. Subsequent marriages made certain calls to Westminster
, when Edward I fixed Parliaments on the Minster west of the City of London. The style, 'lord in Parliament' was a necessary legal precaution required by the King so as to insist upon a dutiful and loyal, pliant nobleman in his High Court of Westminster Hall. Edward I was a stickler for loyalty and discipline in noble ranks thus, inherited Earldoms alone were too independent to act as servants of the Crown. The system of writs was legal instrumentation permitting the King to act unilaterally without the encumbrance to their landed powers. Edward I was renowned for his energetic urging of parliament to pass many statutes, developing the common law of England.
follower of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. His summons was a call-up to fight the French in the first of Edward III's many campaigns on the continent. The Lords would be responsible for raising their own troops, whilst the Commons would be expected to tax the towns and villages as well as the church. The Lords also played a role in raising the profile of the wars by being good ambassadors, both as diplomats abroad, and on progress throughout the country.
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
and conferred on Hugh de Courtenay
Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon
Sir Hugh de Courtenay was the 2nd Earl of Devon in England, born probably in Devon. His parents were Hugh, the 1st Courtenay Earl of Devon by Agnes de St John, daughter of Sir John St John of Basing. He was destined to become a great soldier in the Hundred years war in service of King Edward III...
, Earl of Devon
Earl of Devon
The title of Earl of Devon was created several times in the Peerage of England, and was possessed first by the de Redvers family, and later by the Courtenays...
's summons to be a Lord of Parliament during his father
Hugh de Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon
Hugh de Courtenay was the son of Hugh de Courtenay of Okehampton and Eleanor le Despenser, daughter of Lord Hugh le Despenser, the significant advisers to King Edward II. He was grandson of John de Courtenay of Okehampton by Isabel de Vere, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Oxford...
's lifetime on 23 April 1337. This was Edward III's first Parliament as an adult king in charge of his own rule, and all writs were codified in Latin; Hugh was styled Hugoni de Courteney juniori. The writ of title was originally by Edward I in 1299. His father died at Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
1340, whence Hugh became Earl of Devon. Cokayne discussed the summons and esoteric point as to whether the writ had its origination in 1337 or earlier. In essence the title was a courtesy for the Earldom, bestowed upon the eldest son and heir apparent.
Parliament
Parliament sat in Curia Regis under King JohnJohn of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
's signature on the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
as lords in Parliament. Writs of Summons, variously ascribed different nomenclature during the reigns of Henry III
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
and the Edwardian kings, were issued as warrants requiring a baron's presence at Parliament. In those days Parliament was a moveable feast; it sat where the King's Court happened to be on visitation. Famous Parliaments sat in the North of England at Lincoln
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
, Carlisle and York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
; Parliaments in the south have sat at Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
and Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Henry of Winchester wanted to build a new Royal Palace at that City and move the government to the south coast. But the Civil War with de Montfort interrupted proceedings suspending all Parliaments under the new Model Parliament. Landowners like de Courteney were ennobled as great landowners; as a perquisite for parliamentary privilege. In his case, being descended from Norman kinship with the monarch elevation was a natural progression. Subsequent marriages made certain calls to Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, when Edward I fixed Parliaments on the Minster west of the City of London. The style, 'lord in Parliament' was a necessary legal precaution required by the King so as to insist upon a dutiful and loyal, pliant nobleman in his High Court of Westminster Hall. Edward I was a stickler for loyalty and discipline in noble ranks thus, inherited Earldoms alone were too independent to act as servants of the Crown. The system of writs was legal instrumentation permitting the King to act unilaterally without the encumbrance to their landed powers. Edward I was renowned for his energetic urging of parliament to pass many statutes, developing the common law of England.
De Courtenay family
As a result, the Lords attempts to secure English rights in the Forest Perambulation were unsuccessful, because the King saw this as a challenge to his inherited right to determine the law. Edward I was a notoriously ruthless soldier and executioner, but he was widely respected by the Lords of Parliament for his honesty and good sense. The de Courtenays were natural King's or Privy Counsellors due to their martial prowess. As a family of campaigning soldiers they were a natural choice as loyal advisers, noblesse oblige. Hugh was a LancastrianLancastrian
Lancastrian is an adjective describing:* A native or inhabitant of Lancashire* A partisan on the side of the House of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses.* A person associated with Lancaster University....
follower of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. His summons was a call-up to fight the French in the first of Edward III's many campaigns on the continent. The Lords would be responsible for raising their own troops, whilst the Commons would be expected to tax the towns and villages as well as the church. The Lords also played a role in raising the profile of the wars by being good ambassadors, both as diplomats abroad, and on progress throughout the country.