Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon
Encyclopedia
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. On 11 August 1327, still only 23 years old he was made knight banneret
, and joined the elite group of knights who protected the King's body. He was made a founding and 12th Knight of the Order of the Garter
in 1348 on its investiture at Windsor Castle
. Courtenay fought with the heroes of Crecy on 26 August 1346 in the famous of the encounters in France. The victory formed the basis for Courtenay's inclusion as a Knight of the Garter in 1348, by personal invitation of the King himself.
. The writ issued on 23 April 1337 described him as Hugoni de Courteney juniori styled as Lord Courteney. Two years later he defended the coasts of Cornwall
with some distinction from the invasion fleet of France
. On the death of his father, Hugh, the following year he was granted livery and extensive land ownership in Devon. He was probably present at the Battle of Neville's Cross
, in which Henry Percy
and Ralph Neville
utterly defeated the Scots King David II
on 17 October 1346. As the second Courtenay Earl he was honoured in the jousting tournament that took place at Lichfield, one of the many in celebration of Crecy, on 9 April 1347, in which the King himself also took part. As a Knight of the Garter he was given special permission to build the White Friars at Fleet Street, London
, which became an impressive religious house near the Palace of Whitehall
. Following the completion of this project he returned to Devon, on appointment as Joint Warden of Devon and Cornwall in 1352. In 1361 he and his wife benefited from the will of her deceased brother, Earl of Hereford
, greatly increasing his land holdings.
According to which account is read, Courtenay made an important contribution to the outcome of the Battle of Poitiers
. The Black Prince
had sent the baggage train under Courtenay to the rear. A wise manoeuvre in the event as the long trail of wagons and carts blocked the narrow bridge and the Frenchmen's escape route. The Prince was afraid of a flanking move behind his position over the river, and to the rear. This did not occur with any great effect; which was as well since the route Courtenay took was the long way round and he played little part in the battle as a result of the defensive positions. The French cavalry was cut down by the archers, and then two deep lines of defence of stakes and ditches. He was a veteran of sixty by this period. He retired with a full pension from the King. In 1373 he was appointed Chief Warden of the Forest of Devon. In 1374 the income was assessed by Parliament at £1500 pa. He was one of the poorest Earls of England, and compared unfavourably with other warrior lords as Arundel, Suffolk, and Warwick. He had a livery of 40 knights, esquires and lawyers in Devon. But he also held entail of property; five in Somerset, two in Cornwall, two in Hampshire, one in Dorset and one in Buckinghamshire.
After a full career he died at Exeter on 2 May 1377. The earl had patronised the career of John Grandisson
, Bishop of Exeter
. He supported the construction of debt to build churches in the diocese, proving an astute manager of the Courtenay affinity. In thanks he was buried in Exeter Cathedral
on 2 May 1377. His estate was examined for probate on 28 Jan 1391.
Hugh married Margaret de Bohun daughter of Humphrey de Bohun
, Earl of Hereford
and of Essex
by Elizabeth of Rhuddlan
, and a granddaughter of King Edward I of England
on 11 August 1325, when he moved into Powderham Castle
, although his father was still living. He had been promised to Margaret by contract since 27 September 1314.
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...
in England
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...
, born probably in Devon. His parents were Hugh
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...
, the 1st Courtenay 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...
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. On 11 August 1327, still only 23 years old he was made knight banneret
Knight banneret
A knight banneret, sometimes known simply as banneret, was a Medieval knight who led a company of troops during time of war under his own banner and were eligible to bear supporters in English heraldry.The military rank of a knight banneret was...
, and joined the elite group of knights who protected the King's body. He was made a founding and 12th Knight of 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...
in 1348 on its investiture at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. Courtenay fought with the heroes of Crecy on 26 August 1346 in the famous of the encounters in France. The victory formed the basis for Courtenay's inclusion as a Knight of the Garter in 1348, by personal invitation of the King himself.
Biography
Hugh, a badly behaved fellow, was self-important and puffed up. In 1335 The King granted his wish to be elevated to the earldom of Devon. No sooner he was bragging to the peasant folk in Devonshire that he was the only font of justice. Courtenay was summoned to Parliament on the assumption of Edward III to full authority over the usurper Roger MortimerRoger de Mortimer, 1st Earl of March
Roger de Mortimer, 3rd Baron Mortimer, 1st Earl of March , was an English nobleman and powerful Marcher lord, who had gained many estates in the Welsh Marches and Ireland following his advantageous marriage to the wealthy heiress Joan de Geneville, 2nd Baroness Geneville. In November 1316, he was...
. The writ issued on 23 April 1337 described him as Hugoni de Courteney juniori styled as Lord Courteney. Two years later he defended the coasts of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
with some distinction from the invasion fleet of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. On the death of his father, Hugh, the following year he was granted livery and extensive land ownership in Devon. He was probably present at the Battle of Neville's Cross
Battle of Neville's Cross
The Battle of Neville's Cross took place to the west of Durham, England on 17 October 1346.-Background:In 1346, England was embroiled in the Hundred Years' War with France. In order to divert his enemy Philip VI of France appealed to David II of Scotland to attack the English from the north in...
, in which Henry Percy
Henry de Percy, 2nd Baron Percy
Henry de Percy, 9th Baron Percy and 2nd Baron Percy of Alnwick was the son of Henry de Percy, 1st Baron Percy of Alnwick, and Eleanor Fitzalan, daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 8th Earl of Arundel....
and Ralph Neville
Ralph Neville, 2nd Baron Neville de Raby
Ralph Neville, 2nd Baron Neville de Raby was an English aristocrat, son of Ralph Neville, 1st Baron Neville de Raby and Euphemia de Clavering....
utterly defeated the Scots King David II
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
on 17 October 1346. As the second Courtenay Earl he was honoured in the jousting tournament that took place at Lichfield, one of the many in celebration of Crecy, on 9 April 1347, in which the King himself also took part. As a Knight of the Garter he was given special permission to build the White Friars at Fleet Street, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which became an impressive religious house near the Palace of Whitehall
Palace of Whitehall
The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when all except Inigo Jones's 1622 Banqueting House was destroyed by fire...
. Following the completion of this project he returned to Devon, on appointment as Joint Warden of Devon and Cornwall in 1352. In 1361 he and his wife benefited from the will of her deceased brother, Earl of Hereford
Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford
Humphrey de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford, 5th Earl of Essex was a Lord High Constable of England.- Lineage :...
, greatly increasing his land holdings.
According to which account is read, Courtenay made an important contribution to the outcome of the Battle of Poitiers
Battle of Poitiers (1356)
The Battle of Poitiers was fought between the Kingdoms of England and France on 19 September 1356 near Poitiers, resulting in the second of the three great English victories of the Hundred Years' War: Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt....
. The Black Prince
The Black Prince
-Personal nicknames:* Edward, the Black Prince, English prince in the Middle Ages* Naresuan, King of Siam* Junio Valerio Borghese, Italian noble and military leader* Kostas Davourlis, Greek footballer* Peter Jackson , 19th century bare-knuckle boxer...
had sent the baggage train under Courtenay to the rear. A wise manoeuvre in the event as the long trail of wagons and carts blocked the narrow bridge and the Frenchmen's escape route. The Prince was afraid of a flanking move behind his position over the river, and to the rear. This did not occur with any great effect; which was as well since the route Courtenay took was the long way round and he played little part in the battle as a result of the defensive positions. The French cavalry was cut down by the archers, and then two deep lines of defence of stakes and ditches. He was a veteran of sixty by this period. He retired with a full pension from the King. In 1373 he was appointed Chief Warden of the Forest of Devon. In 1374 the income was assessed by Parliament at £1500 pa. He was one of the poorest Earls of England, and compared unfavourably with other warrior lords as Arundel, Suffolk, and Warwick. He had a livery of 40 knights, esquires and lawyers in Devon. But he also held entail of property; five in Somerset, two in Cornwall, two in Hampshire, one in Dorset and one in Buckinghamshire.
After a full career he died at Exeter on 2 May 1377. The earl had patronised the career of John Grandisson
John Grandisson
John Grandisson was a medieval Bishop of Exeter.Grandisson was born at Ashperton near Hereford in 1292. His father William, Lord de Grandisson, was a Burgundian in the household of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, brother of King Edward I of England. He studied theology at the University of Paris, and...
, Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
. He supported the construction of debt to build churches in the diocese, proving an astute manager of the Courtenay affinity. In thanks he was buried in Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon in South West England....
on 2 May 1377. His estate was examined for probate on 28 Jan 1391.
Hugh married Margaret de Bohun daughter of Humphrey de Bohun
Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford
Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford was a member of a powerful Anglo-Norman family of the Welsh Marches and was one of the Ordainers who opposed Edward II's excesses.-Family background :...
, Earl of Hereford
Earl of Hereford
The title of Earl of Hereford was created six times in the Peerage of England. See also Duke of Hereford, Viscount Hereford. Dates indicate the years the person held the title for.-Earls of Hereford, First Creation :*Swegen Godwinson...
and of Essex
Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals. The earldom was first created in the 12th century for Geoffrey II de Mandeville . Upon the death of the third earl in 1189, the title became dormant or extinct...
by Elizabeth of Rhuddlan
Elizabeth of Rhuddlan
Elizabeth of Rhuddlan was the eighth and youngest daughter of Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile...
, and a granddaughter of King Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
on 11 August 1325, when he moved into Powderham Castle
Powderham Castle
Powderham Castle is located south of Exeter, Devon, England. The Powderham Estate, in which it is set, runs down to the western shores of the estuary of the River Exe between the villages of Kenton and Starcross....
, although his father was still living. He had been promised to Margaret by contract since 27 September 1314.
Children
They had a large family which included:- Sir Hugh CourtenayHugh Courtenay (KG)Sir Hugh Courtenay, KG was an English knight.He was the eldest son of Hugh Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon by his wife Margaret de Bohun, 2nd Countess of Devon, and was probably born at Tiverton Castle....
, KG. Born: 22 March 1327, Died: 1 September 1349. He married Elizabeth de VereElizabeth de VereElizabeth de Vere was a member of the renowned and noble de Vere family of Hedingham Castle, being the second daughter of John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford and Maud de Badlesmere....
, daughter of John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford. - Thomas Courtenay, Prebendary of Cutton. Died in the Church of Austin Friars, London.
- Sir Edward Courtenay, Born: 1329, Haccombe, Devon, Died: 20 September 1372. He married heiress, Emmeline Dawney, daughter of Sir John Dawney of Madfordferry; his son inherited the earldom.
- Robert Courtenay of Moreton
- William CourtenayWilliam CourtenayWilliam Courtenay , English prelate, was Archbishop of Canterbury, having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.-Life:...
the Archbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
. Born: 1342, Died: 31 July 1396, Maidstone, Kent. - Sir Philip CourtenaySir Philip CourtenaySir Philip Courtenay, KG, Lord of Powderham Castle, Devon was a Knight of the Shire for Devon.He was the son of Hugh Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon and Margaret de Bohun, 2nd Countess of Devon...
of Powderham CastlePowderham CastlePowderham Castle is located south of Exeter, Devon, England. The Powderham Estate, in which it is set, runs down to the western shores of the estuary of the River Exe between the villages of Kenton and Starcross....
, Born: c.1342, Died: 29 July 1406. Married Ann Wake, daughter of Sir Thomas Wake by Alice Pateshull. - Sir Peter Courtenay of Hardington-Mandeville, Born: in Somerset, Died: 2 Feb 1405. Married Margaret Clyvedon, daughter of John de Clyvedon by Elizabeth.
- Margaret Courtenay married John de Cobham, 3rd Baron CobhamJohn de Cobham, 3rd Baron CobhamJohn de Cobham, 3rd Baron Cobham was the son of John de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham and Joan de Beauchamp. He was given a licence to crenellate by Richard II in 1381 and built Cooling Castle at the family seat in Cowling or Cooling, Kent....
. - Elizabeth Courtenay, Died: 7 August 1395, married Sir Andrew Luttrell of Chilton, [Thorverton], Devon.
- Catherine Courtenay, Died: 31 December 1399, married Sir Thomas de Engaine, 2nd Lord Engaine.
- Joane Courtenay, married Sir John Cheverston.
- Other children: John, Humphrey, Anne and Matilda.
Sources
- Browning, Charles H., Americans of Royal Descent, 6th ed. 1905, p. 105-108
- Cokayne, G. E., ed., Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the UK, Extant, Extinct or Dormant revised edition, (London 1910-59). vol. III, p.324.
- Holmes, G. Estates of Higher Nobility in Fourteenth Century England, Cambridge, 1957, p. 58.
- Mortimer, Ian Edward III (London 2007).
- Oliver and Jones's Genealogy of Courtenay (see the website).* Ormrod, W. M. The Reign of Edward III (Tempus Publishing 1999).
- Saul, Nigel, ed. The Oxford History of Medieval England (OUP 1997).
- Register of Edward, the Black Prince, (ed) A. E. Stamp & M. C. B. Dawes (London 1930-33).
- Sumption, Jonathan, The Hundred Years War, 2 vols, Vol.1: Trial by Battle, vol. 2: Trial by Fire (Faber 1999).
- Waugh, Scott L., England in the Reign of Edward III (CUP 1991)
- Tuck, Anthony, Crown and Nobility; England 1272-1461: political conflict in late medieval England, 2nd ed., (Blackwell 1999).