Catherine Montacute, Countess of Salisbury
Encyclopedia
Catherine Montacute Countess of Salisbury (c. 1304 – November 23, 1349) was an English
noblewoman, remembered for her relationship with King Edward III of England
and possibly the woman in whose honour the Order of the Garter
was originated. She was born Catherine Grandison, daughter of William de Grandison, 1st Baron Grandison, and Sibylla de Tregoz. She married William Montacute, 1st Earl of Salisbury
in about 1320.
Their children were:
According to rumour, King Edward III was so enamoured of the countess that he forced his attentions on her in around 1341, after having relieved a Scottish siege on Wark Castle, where she lived, while her husband was out of the country. An Elizabethan
play, Edward III
, deals with this incident. In the play, the Earl of Warwick
is the unnamed Countess's father, though he was not her father in real life.
In around 1348, the Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III and it is recorded that he did so after an incident at a ball when the "Countess of Salisbury" dropped a garter and the king picked it up. It is assumed that Froissart is referring either to Catherine or to her daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
noblewoman, remembered for her relationship with King Edward III of England
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 possibly the woman in whose honour the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
was originated. She was born Catherine Grandison, daughter of William de Grandison, 1st Baron Grandison, and Sibylla de Tregoz. She married William Montacute, 1st Earl of Salisbury
William Montacute, 1st Earl of Salisbury
William I Montagu, alias de Montacute, 1st Earl of Salisbury, 3rd Baron Montacute, King of Mann was an English nobleman and loyal servant of King Edward III....
in about 1320.
Their children were:
- Elizabeth Montacute (b. before 1325); married Hugh le Despencer, 2nd Baron le DespencerHugh le Despencer, 2nd Baron le DespencerHugh le Despencer was the eldest son and heir of Hugh the younger Despenser, son of Hugh the elder Despenser. His father and grandfather both were executed in 1326. His mother was Eleanor de Clare, daughter of Gilbert de Clare, 6th Earl of Hertford and Joan of Acre...
before 27 April 1341. - John Montacute, (1327–1396); father of John Montacute, 3rd Earl of SalisburyJohn Montacute, 3rd Earl of Salisbury`John Montacute, 3rd Earl of Salisbury and 5th and 2nd Baron Montacute, KG was an English nobleman, one of the few who remained loyal to Richard II after Henry IV became king.-Early life:...
. - William Montacute, 2nd Earl of SalisburyWilliam Montacute, 2nd Earl of SalisburySir William II Montague, alias de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury, 4th Baron Montacute, King of Mann, KG was an English nobleman and commander in the English army during King Edward III's French campaigns in the Hundred Years War.He was born in Donyatt in Somerset, the eldest son of William...
(1329–1397) - Anne Montacute, (b. 1330); married John De Grey on 12 June 1335.
- Philippa Montacute (1332–1381); married Roger Mortimer, 2nd Earl of March.
- Sibyl Montacute (b. before 1339); married Edmund FitzAlan about 1356.
According to rumour, King Edward III was so enamoured of the countess that he forced his attentions on her in around 1341, after having relieved a Scottish siege on Wark Castle, where she lived, while her husband was out of the country. An Elizabethan
Elizabethan era
The Elizabethan era was the epoch in English history of Queen Elizabeth I's reign . Historians often depict it as the golden age in English history...
play, Edward III
Edward III (play)
The Reign of King Edward the Third is an Elizabethan play printed anonymously in 1596. It has frequently been claimed that it was at least partly written by William Shakespeare, a view that Shakespeare scholars have increasingly endorsed. The rest of the play was probably written by Thomas Kyd...
, deals with this incident. In the play, the Earl of Warwick
Earl of Warwick
Earl of Warwick is a title that has been created four times in British history and is one of the most prestigious titles in the peerages of the British Isles.-1088 creation:...
is the unnamed Countess's father, though he was not her father in real life.
In around 1348, the Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III and it is recorded that he did so after an incident at a ball when the "Countess of Salisbury" dropped a garter and the king picked it up. It is assumed that Froissart is referring either to Catherine or to her daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent
Joan of Kent
Joan, Countess of Kent , known to history as The Fair Maid of Kent, was the first English Princess of Wales...
.