House of Harcourt
Encyclopedia
Duchy of Normandy
The Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Norwegian, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish invasions of France in the 9th century...
family, descended from the Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
Bernard the Dane
Bernard the Dane
Bernard the Dane was a Viking jarl of Danish origins. He put himself in the service of another jarl installed at the mouth of the Seine, Rollo...
and named after its seigneurie of Harcourt
Harcourt, Eure
Harcourt is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:*Château d'Harcourt - a medieval-built château with the oldest arboretum in France.*Arboretum d'Harcourt-External links:*...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. Its mottos were "Gesta verbis praeveniant" (Olonde branch), "Gesta verbis praevenient" (Beuvron branch), and "Le bon temps viendra ... de France" (English branch).
In 1280 they established the Collège d'Harcourt
Lycée Saint-Louis
The lycée Saint-Louis is a higher education establishment located in the VIe arrondissement of Paris, in the Latin Quarter. It is the only public French lycée exclusively dedicated to classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles...
in Paris, now the Lycée Saint-Louis
Lycée Saint-Louis
The lycée Saint-Louis is a higher education establishment located in the VIe arrondissement of Paris, in the Latin Quarter. It is the only public French lycée exclusively dedicated to classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles...
at 44 boulevard Saint-Michel.
Origins
When in 911 the Viking chief RolloRollo
Rollo has multiple meanings. It may mean:a first name*Rollo Armstrong, member of British dance act Faithless* Rollo May, American psychologist...
obtained the territories that would make up Normandy through the Treaty of Saint Clair-sur-Epte
Treaty of Saint Clair-sur-Epte
The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte was signed in the autumn of 911 between Charles III of France and Rollo, the leader of the Vikings, to settle the Normans in Neustria and to protect Charles' kingdom from any new invasion by the "northmen". No written records survive concerning the creation of the...
, he distributed domains to his main supporters among those who had accompanied him on his expeditions against the English and the Neustria
Neustria
The territory of Neustria or Neustrasia, meaning "new [western] land", originated in 511, made up of the regions from Aquitaine to the English Channel, approximating most of the north of present-day France, with Paris and Soissons as its main cities...
ns. After the conquest of Normandy, considerable lands (notably the seigneurie of Harcourt
Harcourt, Eure
Harcourt is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:*Château d'Harcourt - a medieval-built château with the oldest arboretum in France.*Arboretum d'Harcourt-External links:*...
, near Brionne
Brionne
Brionne is a commune in the Eure department in Haute-Normandie in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The keep, built in the 11th century was one of the rare Norman squareshaped defensive keeps, reminding of British architecture. It was destroyed in the 18th century.The church Saint-Martin has a...
, were granted to Bernard the Dane as a reward for his exploits, and from him they descended upon the lords (seigneurs) of Harcourt.
French and English branches
The Harcourt family has been perpetuated up until the present day in a French branch and an English branch. The château d'HarcourtChâteau d'Harcourt
The Château d'Harcourt, situated in the commune of Harcourt in the Eure département of France, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture...
in Harcourt, Eure
Harcourt, Eure
Harcourt is a commune in the Eure department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Population:-Sights:*Château d'Harcourt - a medieval-built château with the oldest arboretum in France.*Arboretum d'Harcourt-External links:*...
, Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, built around 1100, survives.
English branch
In the 11th century, Errand of Harcourt and his three brothers followed William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, on the Norman invasion of EnglandNorman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
, and the brothers were installed with English lands. The English Harcourt branch entered the English peerage, as barons then viscounts then earls. At first the Harcourts had lands in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, but in 1191 Robert de Harcourt of Bosworth
Market Bosworth
Market Bosworth is a small market town and civil parish in Leicestershire, England. It formerly formed a district known as the Market Bosworth Rural District. In 1974 it merged with the Hinckley Rural District to form a new district named Hinckley and Bosworth...
inherited lands of his father-in-law at Stanton in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, which then became known as Stanton Harcourt
Stanton Harcourt
Stanton Harcourt is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about southeast of Witney and west of Oxford.-Archaeology:Within the parish of Stanton Harcourt is a series of paleochannel deposits buried beneath the second gravel terrace of the river Thames...
. The manor of Stanton Harcourt has remained in the Harcourt family to the present day, although from 1756 to 1948 their main residence was at Nuneham House
Nuneham House
Nuneham House is a Palladian villa, at Nuneham Courtenay in Oxfordshire England. It was built for Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt in 1756. It is owned by Oxford University and is currently used as a retreat centre by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University...
, also in Oxfordshire. Simon Harcourt
Simon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt
Simon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, PC was Queen Anne's Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. He was her solicitor-general and her commissioner for arranging the union with Scotland...
was created Baron Harcourt in 1711 and Viscount Harcourt
Viscount Harcourt
The title Viscount Harcourt has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Great Britain and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was first created in Great Britain in 1711 for Simon Harcourt, Lord Chancellor. The third viscount was created Earl Harcourt in 1749.The ancient family of...
in 1721. The third viscount was created Earl Harcourt in 1749, but all titles were extinguished with the death of marshal William Harcourt, 3rd Earl Harcourt
William Harcourt, 3rd Earl Harcourt
Field Marshal William Harcourt, 3rd Earl Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, GCB was a British nobleman and soldier. He was the younger son of Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt.-Seven Years War:...
, in 1830. His cousin Edward Vernon, Archbishop of York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
, thus inherited the majority of that branch's lands and titles and took the name and heraldic shield of the English Harcourt family by royal authorisation on 15 January 1831. This created the Vernon-Harcourt branch, descended from a Harcourt woman. The title Viscount Harcourt was created a second time in 1917 for Lewis Harcourt
Lewis Vernon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt
Lewis Vernon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt PC was a British Liberal Party politician who held the Cabinet office of Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1910 to 1915...
, but the title was again extinguished on the death of his son.
As well as this branch, the English Harcourt family also descends from the older line of the Harcourts of Ankerwycke.The last Lord of the Manor of Ankerwycke and Wrayesbury was Captain Guy Elliot Harcourt whose issue live on the Isle of White.Present day cousins to this branch of the Harcourts are the aristocratic Greville family with Christopher Fulke Greville whose father was born at Ankerwycke being the eldest of the remainder.
Many of the great Norman families who accompanied William the Conqueror in the 11th century such as the Harcourts,Nevilles,Grevilles,Lucan,De Beauchamps where related and held great swathes of land across Britain.
French branch
In France, Errand of Harcourt's brother, Robert I of Harcourt, sire of Harcourt, continued the Harcourt line in France. His descendents are sub-divided into several branches, with the two principal ones being the Olonde and Beuvron branches, which both descend to this day. The Harcourt family of France intermarried with other members of the French aristocracy, including the de Livet family.The Beuvron branch includes several marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
and lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
s of the ancien régime royal armies. These include
- François III of Harcourt (died 1705), marquis of Ectot and of Beuvron, lieutenant général of the "armées du roiMilitary history of FranceThe military history of France encompasses an immense panorama of conflicts and struggles extending for more than 2,000 years across areas including modern France, greater Europe, and European territorial possessions overseas....
" and the king's lieutenant général in Normandy - Henri, first duke of Harcourt, marshal of FranceMarshal of FranceThe Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
, ambassador to Madrid in 1697 (died 1718) - Anne-Pierre, 4th duke of Harcourt, marshal of FranceMarshal of FranceThe Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
, governor of Normandy (died 1783) - Anne-Pierre's son François-Henri, 5th duke of Harcourt, governor of Normandy, representative of the comte de ProvenceLouis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII , known as "the Unavoidable", was King of France and of Navarre from 1814 to 1824, omitting the Hundred Days in 1815...
to the British government during the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThe French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. - George of Harcourt-Olonde (1808–1883), ambassador to London and Vienna.
In 1966, 126 English and French Harcourts celebrated the 1000-year anniversary of the House of Harcourt at the Château du Champ de Bataille
Château du Champ de Bataille
The Château du Champ-de-Bataille, located in the region Haute-Normandie, between the commune of Neubourg and Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc, in the Department Eure, is a baroque castle built in 17th century for the Maréchal de Créqui...
, headed by the head of the family, Lord Harcourt, Marquess of Harcourt, and by the duke of Harcourt, head of the Beuvron branch.
The first lords of Harcourt
The first seigneurs of Harcourt from the early 11th to 13th centuries:- Bernard the DaneBernard the DaneBernard the Dane was a Viking jarl of Danish origins. He put himself in the service of another jarl installed at the mouth of the Seine, Rollo...
, compagnon of RolloRolloRollo has multiple meanings. It may mean:a first name*Rollo Armstrong, member of British dance act Faithless* Rollo May, American psychologist...
, gouvernor and regent of the duchy of NormandyDuchy of NormandyThe Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Norwegian, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish invasions of France in the 9th century...
until the death of William I, Duke of Normandy (942) - Torf, baron of Tourville, son of Bernard le Danois and of Sprote, princess of Bourgogne.
- Turquetil (960 – 1020s), son of Torf and of Ertemberge of Briquebec. William the Conqueror's governor during his minority.
- Anquetil of Harcourt, son of Turquetil and of Anceline of Montfort, was the first seigneur of Harcourt known under this title. In 1066, he accompanied William the Conqueror on his conquest of England, obtaining lands in England. His possessions stretched along both sides of the English ChannelEnglish ChannelThe English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
. He married Ève of Boissey. - Errand of Harcourt, seigneur of Harcourt, participated in the conquest of England on the side of William the Conqueror
- Robert Ier of Harcourt, called le Fort (the Strong), brother of Errand, whom he succeeded. He too took part in the conquest of England, but returned to Normandy. He built the first château d'HarcourtChâteau d'HarcourtThe Château d'Harcourt, situated in the commune of Harcourt in the Eure département of France, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture...
, and married Colette of Argouges. - Guillaume of Harcourt, son of Robert I, he backed Henry I of EnglandHenry I of EnglandHenry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
in his wars in Normandy. He married Hue of Amboise. - Robert II of Harcourt, called le Vaillant (the Valiant) or le Fort, son of Guillaume. He accompanied his suzerainSuzeraintySuzerainty occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a...
Richard I of EnglandRichard I of EnglandRichard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
on the Third CrusadeThird CrusadeThe Third Crusade , also known as the Kings' Crusade, was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin...
and was designated by John of EnglandJohn of EnglandJohn , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
as his surety and hostage in 1200 in the peace concluded with Philip II AugustusPhilip II of FrancePhilip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
. He also became seigneur of ElbeufLords, Marquesses and Dukes of ElbeufThe Seigneurie of Elbeuf, later a marquisate, dukedom and peerage, was based on the territory of Elbeuf in the Vexin, possessed first by the Counts of Valois and then the Counts of Meulan before passing to the House of Harcourt. In 1265, it was erected into a seigneurie for them...
by his 1179 marriage to Jeanne of Meulan. - Richard of Harcourt, baron of Harcourt, son of Robert II, in 1213 he married Jeanne de la Roche-Tesson, heiress of the vicomté of Saint-Sauveur
- Jean I (born c.1200), called le Pruof homme, baron of Harcourt, vicomte of Saint-SauveurSaint-Sauveur-France:Saint-Sauveur is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Saint-Sauveur, Hautes-Alpes, in the Hautes-Alpes département* Saint-Sauveur, Côte-d'Or, in the Côte-d'Or département...
. Around 1240 he married Alix of Beaumont (died 1275)
The Harcourts and the Hundred Years' War
As with several Norman lords, several Harcourt possessions in England and France were placed in a difficult position during the wars between the Capetians and PlantagenetHouse of Plantagenet
The House of Plantagenet , a branch of the Angevins, was a royal house founded by Geoffrey V of Anjou, father of Henry II of England. Plantagenet kings first ruled the Kingdom of England in the 12th century. Their paternal ancestors originated in the French province of Gâtinais and gained the...
s. In this context, the Harcourt family played a game all of its own, simultaneously independent of both the king of France and king of England. Geoffroy de Harcourt led King Edward III
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 the English Army into Normandy during the Crecy campaign as well as being involved in a reconnaissance mission that end in a skirmish between Geoffroy of Harcourt and his elder brother, the Comte de Harcourt, at Rouen. Geoffroy of Harcourt was also placed in charge of Prince Edward's personal safety during the Battle of Crecy. Also, after Philip II
Philip II of France
Philip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
's conquest of Normandy in 1204, the Harcourts habitually became the head of feudal
Feudalism
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for ordering society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.Although derived from the...
movements against the king of France.
Notable members of the House of Harcourt
The Harcourts have a great reputation in England and France as:Statesmen and governors
- Bernard the DaneBernard the DaneBernard the Dane was a Viking jarl of Danish origins. He put himself in the service of another jarl installed at the mouth of the Seine, Rollo...
, founder of the house of Harcourt, governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and regentRegentA regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of the duchy of NormandyDuchy of NormandyThe Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Norwegian, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish invasions of France in the 9th century...
up to the death of duke Guillaume (942) - Philippe d'Harcourt (died 1163), chancellor of England (1139–40)
- Louis d'Harcourt (died 1388), vicomte de Châtellerault, governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and lieutenant général of NormandyNormandyNormandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
(1356–1360) - Jacques Ier d'Harcourt (1350–1405), baron of Montgommery, counsellor and chamberlain of king Charles VICharles VI of FranceCharles VI , called the Beloved and the Mad , was the King of France from 1380 to 1422, as a member of the House of Valois. His bouts with madness, which seem to have begun in 1392, led to quarrels among the French royal family, which were exploited by the neighbouring powers of England and Burgundy...
- Jacques II of Harcourt (died 1428), comte de Tancarville, governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and lieutenant général of PicardiePicardiePicardy is one of the 27 regions of France. It is located in the northern part of France.-History:The historical province of Picardy stretched from north of Noyon to Calais, via the whole of the Somme department and the north of the Aisne department... - Christophe of Harcourt (died 1438), seigneur d'Havré, conseiller and chambellanChambellanChambellan is a municipality in the Jérémie Arrondissement, in the Grand'Anse Department of Haiti.It has 16,883 inhabitants....
of king Charles VII, grand-master of the waters and the forests - Guillaume d'Harcourt (died 1487), comte de Tancarville, counsellor and chamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
of king Charles VIICharles VII of FranceCharles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
, constable and chamberlain of Normandy, grand-master of the waters and the forests (1431) - Henry d'Harcourt (1654–1718), 1st duke of Harcourt, member of the regency council (1715)
- Simon HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Viscount HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, PC was Queen Anne's Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. He was her solicitor-general and her commissioner for arranging the union with Scotland...
(1661–1727), 1st viscount Harcourt, garde des Sceaux (1710–1713) and Lord ChancellorLord ChancellorThe Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
of England (1713–14) - François of Harcourt (1689–1750), 2nd duke of Harcourt, governor of SedanSedan, FranceSedan is a commune in France, a sub-prefecture of the Ardennes department in northern France.-Geography:The historic centre is built on a peninsula formed by an arc of the Meuse River. It is around from the Belgian border.-History:...
(1735–50) - Anne Pierre d'HarcourtAnne Pierre d'HarcourtAnne Pierre d'Harcourt was a French nobleman, notable as a duke of Harcourt and the fourth marshal of France from the House of Harcourt. He was the great grandson of Abraham de Fabert....
(1701–1783), 4th duke of Harcourt, governor of SedanSedan, FranceSedan is a commune in France, a sub-prefecture of the Ardennes department in northern France.-Geography:The historic centre is built on a peninsula formed by an arc of the Meuse River. It is around from the Belgian border.-History:...
(1750), gouvernor of Normandy (1764–75) - Simon HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, PC, FRS, Viceroy of Ireland , known as 2nd Viscount Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, between 1727 and 1749, was a British diplomat and general....
(1714–1777), 1st earl Harcourt, viceroy of Ireland (1772–77) - François-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'Harcourt was a French general....
(1726–1802), 5th duke of Harcourt, governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of NormandieNormandieNormandie may refer to:* The region of Normandy in north-west France and the Channel Islands* Normandie , iron-clad battleship of the 1860s.* Normandie class battleships from World War I...
(1775–89) - Sir William Vernon HarcourtWilliam Vernon Harcourt (politician)Sir William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt was a British lawyer, journalist and Liberal statesman. He served as Member of Parliament for various constituencies and held the offices of Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer under William Ewart Gladstone before becoming Leader of...
(1827–1904), secretary of state (home secretary, 1880–1885) then chancellor of the exchequerChancellor of the ExchequerThe Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
(1892–1895) - Emmanuel d'Harcourt (1844–1928), vicomte d'Harcourt, secrétaire général de la présidence de la République (1873–1877), vice-president of the French Red Cross
- Lewis HarcourtLewis Vernon Harcourt, 1st Viscount HarcourtLewis Vernon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt PC was a British Liberal Party politician who held the Cabinet office of Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1910 to 1915...
(1863–1922), viscount Harcourt, minister for the colonies (1910–15) who gave his name to Port Harcourt (NigeriaNigeriaNigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
) - Mike HarcourtMike HarcourtMichael Franklin Harcourt served as the 30th Premier of the province of British Columbia in Canada from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor of BC's major city, Vancouver from 1980 to 1986....
(born 1943), premierPremier (Canada)In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
of British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
(CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) from 1991 to 1996
French and English marshals
- Jean II of Harcourt, called le Preux (died 1302), vicomte of Châtellerault, sire of Harcourt, maréchal de France in 1283 and amiral de France in 1295, husband of Jeanne de Châtellerault, vicomtesse of Châtellerault (1235–1315), daughter of Aimeri, vicomte de Châtellerault, and of Agathe de Dammartin
- Henry of Harcourt (1654–1718), 1st duke of Harcourt, marshal of FranceMarshal of FranceThe Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
in 1703 - François of Harcourt (1689–1750), 2nd duke of Harcourt, marshal of FranceMarshal of FranceThe Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
in 1746 - Anne Pierre of Harcourt (1701–1783), 4th duke of Harcourt, marshal of France in 1775
- Geoffroy of Harcourt, called Godefroy le boiteux (died 1356), made marshal by Edward III in 1346
- William Harcourt, 3rd Earl HarcourtWilliam Harcourt, 3rd Earl HarcourtField Marshal William Harcourt, 3rd Earl Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, GCB was a British nobleman and soldier. He was the younger son of Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt.-Seven Years War:...
(1743–1830), promoted to field-marshal by king George IV in 1821
French and British ambassadors
- Henry d'Harcourt (1654–1718), 1st duke of Harcourt, extraordinary ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Madrid (1697–1699 and 1700–1701), contributed to the installation of the Bourbons on the throne of Spain - Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, PC, FRS, Viceroy of Ireland , known as 2nd Viscount Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, between 1727 and 1749, was a British diplomat and general....
(1714–1777), British ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Paris (1768–72) - François-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'Harcourt was a French general....
(1726–1802), 5th Duke of Harcourt, represented Louis XVIII to the British government (1792–1800) - Eugène d'Harcourt (1786–1865), 8th Duke of Harcourt, ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Madrid (1830) and to Rome (1848–49) - George d'Harcourt (1808–1883), marquis d'Harcourt, pair de France, ambassador to Vienna (1873) and London (1875–79)
- Bernard d'Harcourt (1842–1914), ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Rome (1871), to London (1872–73) and to Berne (1874–76) - Emmanuel d'Harcourt (1914–1985), Compagnon de la Libération, ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Dublin (1969) and to Prague (1975–79)
Governors of French and British heirs to the throne
- Henry of Harcourt (1654–1718), 1st duke of Harcourt, member of the regency council, named by Louis XIV in his will as governor of the Dauphin (the future Louis XV) following the maréchal de Villeroy
- Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl HarcourtSimon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, PC, FRS, Viceroy of Ireland , known as 2nd Viscount Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, between 1727 and 1749, was a British diplomat and general....
(1714–1777), governor of the Prince of Wales, the future George III (1751–52) - François-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'HarcourtFrançois-Henri d'Harcourt was a French general....
(1726–1802), 5th duke of Harcourt, governor of the dauphin of France (1786–89)
Generals
- Jean IV of Harcourt (died 1346), comte of Harcourt, captain of Rouen (1345), killed at the battle of CrécyBattle of CrécyThe Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 near Crécy in northern France, and was one of the most important battles of the Hundred Years' War...
- Jean VII of Harcourt (1370–1452), comte of Harcourt, also called princePrincePrince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
of Harcourt, captured at the battle of AgincourtBattle of AgincourtThe Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France... - Jean VIII of Harcourt (1396–1424), comte of Aumale, lieutenant and capitaine général de Normandy, killed at the battle of VerneuilBattle of VerneuilThe Battle of Verneuil was a battle of the Hundred Years' War, fought on 17 August 1424 near Verneuil in Normandy and was a significant English victory.-The black time:...
- Odet of Harcourt (1604–1661), marquis of Thury and of La Motte-Harcourt, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi - Louis-François of Harcourt (1677–1714), comte of Sézanne, knight of the Order of the Golden FleeceOrder of the Golden FleeceThe Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of King John I of Portugal. It evolved as one of the most prestigious orders in Europe...
, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi (1710) - Henri-Claude d'Harcourt (1704–1769), comte of Harcourt, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi (1748) - Anne-François d'Harcourt (1727–1797), duke of Beuvron, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi (1780) - Charles-Hector d'Harcourt (1743–1820), marquis of Harcourt, pair de France, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi (1814) - Marie-François d'Harcourt (1755–1839), 6th duke of Harcourt, lieutenant généralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
des armées du roi (1815) - Amédée d'Harcourt (1771–1831), marquis of Harcourt, pair de France, general in the English army
- Octavius Vernon HarcourtOctavius Vernon HarcourtOctavius Henry Cyril Vernon Harcourt was a British naval officer. He was the eighth son of Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt, Archbishop of York, and was born Octavius Henry Cyril Vernon at Rose Castle, Cumberland on 25 December 1793...
(1793–1863), admiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... - Frederick-Edward Vernon Harcourt (1790–1853), admiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... - Armand d'Harcourt (1883–1975), vice-admiral (1940), commandant of the French Navy of Morocco, president of the société centrale de sauvetage des naufragés
- Jean d'Harcourt (1885–1980), general in the air force (1939), inspector general of fighter aircraft, knight grand-cross of the Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(1964)
Resistance-workers
- Robert d'HarcourtRobert d'HarcourtRobert d'Harcourt was a French Catholic intellectual, scholar of German culture and anti-Nazi polemicist.-Early life:...
(1881–1965) and his sons, Anne-Pierre d'Harcourt (1913–1981) and Charles d'Harcourt (1921–1992), both sent to Buchenwald concentration campBuchenwald concentration campBuchenwald concentration camp was a German Nazi concentration camp established on the Ettersberg near Weimar, Germany, in July 1937, one of the first and the largest of the concentration camps on German soil.Camp prisoners from all over Europe and Russia—Jews, non-Jewish Poles and Slovenes,... - Emmanuel d'Harcourt (1914–1985), one of the first five Compagnons de la Libération, member of the counsel of the Ordre de la LibérationOrdre de la LibérationThe Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
Churchmen
- Philip de HarcourtPhilip de HarcourtPhilip de Harcourt was a medieval Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Bayeux. He was also unsuccessfully elected to be Bishop of Salisbury.-Life:...
(died 1163), bishop of Salisbury (1140), bishop of Bayeux (1142), and chancellorChancellorChancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of England (1139–1140) - Raoul d'Harcourt (died 1307), canon of Paris (1305), counsellor of Philip IV of FrancePhilip IV of FrancePhilip the Fair was, as Philip IV, King of France from 1285 until his death. He was the husband of Joan I of Navarre, by virtue of which he was, as Philip I, King of Navarre and Count of Champagne from 1284 to 1305.-Youth:A member of the House of Capet, Philip was born at the Palace of...
, almoner of Charles de Valois, founder of the collège d'Harcourt (Paris, now Lycée Saint-LouisLycée Saint-LouisThe lycée Saint-Louis is a higher education establishment located in the VIe arrondissement of Paris, in the Latin Quarter. It is the only public French lycée exclusively dedicated to classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles...
) - Robert d'Harcourt (died 1315), bishop of Coutances (1291), counsellor of Philip IIIPhilip III of FrancePhilip III , called the Bold , was the King of France, succeeding his father, Louis IX, and reigning from 1270 to 1285. He was a member of the House of Capet.-Biography:...
and Philip IV of France. - Guy d'Harcourt (died 1336), bishop of Lisieux (1303), founder of the collège de Lisieux (Paris)
- Jean d'Harcourt (died 1452), bishop of Amiens (1418), of Tournai (1433), archbishop of Narbonne (1436), patriarch of Antioch (1447), bishop of Alexandria and of Orleans (1451)
- Louis I d'Harcourt (1382–1422), vicomte de Châtellerault, archbishop of Rouen (1407)
- Louis II d'Harcourt (1424–1479), bishop of Béziers (1451), archbishop of Narbonne (1451), bishop of Bayeux (1460), patriarch of Jerusalem (1460–79)
- Louis-Abraham d'Harcourt (1694–1750), 3rd duke of Harcourt, chanoine de Notre-Dame de Paris, doyen de l'Eglise de Paris (1733), commander of the ordre du Saint-Esprit (1747)
- Edward HarcourtEdward HarcourtEdward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt was an English clergyman who was Bishop of Carlisle from 1791 to 1807, and then Archbishop of York until his death....
(1757–1847), bishop of CarlisleBishop of CarlisleThe Bishop of Carlisle is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle in the Province of York.The diocese covers the County of Cumbria except for Alston Moor and the former Sedbergh Rural District...
, then archbishop of YorkArchbishop of YorkThe Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
Members of the Académie française
- François-Henri of Harcourt (1726–1802), 5th duke of Harcourt, elected 1788
- Robert d'HarcourtRobert d'HarcourtRobert d'Harcourt was a French Catholic intellectual, scholar of German culture and anti-Nazi polemicist.-Early life:...
(1881–1965), elected 1946
Scientists
- William Vernon HarcourtWilliam Vernon Harcourt (scientist)William Vernon Harcourt was founder of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.-Family:He was born at Sudbury, Derbyshire, a younger son of Edward Vernon-Harcourt, Archbishop of York and his wife Lady Anne Leveson-Gower, who was a daughter of Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Marquess of...
(1789–1871) was founder of the British Association for the Advancement of ScienceBritish Association for the Advancement of Scienceframe|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
.
Authors
- Liceline d'Harcourt (c. 971–1035?), author of the "Saga des Brionne"
- Agnes d'Harcourt (c. 1245–1291?)
- Anne-Pierre d'Harcourt (1913–1981), author of "The Real Enemy"
- Claire d'Harcourt, author of several books, such as "Bébés du monde" and "L'art à la loupe"
- François-Henri of Harcourt (1726–1802)
- Robert d'HarcourtRobert d'HarcourtRobert d'Harcourt was a French Catholic intellectual, scholar of German culture and anti-Nazi polemicist.-Early life:...
(1881–1965), author of several works on German literature and culture, such as "L'évangile de la force" (1936), one of the first books to denounce the dangers of Nazism, as well as a book of war memoirs, "Souvenirs de captivité et d'évasion". - David Stanton Milne Harcourt (1946–)
Titles of the House of Harcourt
in France :- baron d'Harcourt
- baron d'Elbeuf (1265)
- comte d'Harcourt (1328)
- comte d'Aumale
- baron de Olonde
- marquis de Beuvron (1528)
- marquis de Thury
- comte de Sézanne
- comte de Lillebonne
- duc d'Harcourt (1700) and peer of France (1709)
- duc de Beuvron (1784)
- marquis d'Olonde-Harcourt
- marquis d'Harcourt (confirmed in 1814) and peer of France (1814), etc.
in England :
- baron Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt (1711)
- viscount HarcourtViscount HarcourtThe title Viscount Harcourt has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Great Britain and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was first created in Great Britain in 1711 for Simon Harcourt, Lord Chancellor. The third viscount was created Earl Harcourt in 1749.The ancient family of...
(1721) - viscount Nuneham (1749)
- earl Harcourt (1749)
- hereditary peer (1917)