William Courtenay was a landowner in Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

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The son of Sir William Courtenay

William Courtenay (died 1557)

Sir William Courtenay was a landowner in Devon.He was the son of George Courtenay and grandson of Sir William Courtenay, of Powderham Castle, whom he succeeded in 1535...

 of 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....

, he succeeded his father in 1557. He was knighted in 1576 and served as High Sheriff of Devon

High Sheriff of Devon

The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...

 and Member of Parliament for Devon

Devon (UK Parliament constituency)

Devon was a parliamentary constituency covering the county of Devon in England. It was represented by two Knights of the Shire, in the House of Commons of England until 1707, then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and finally the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from...

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By his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland

Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland

Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland, 14th Baron de Ros of Helmsley, KG was the son of Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland. He also held the title of 14th Baron de Ros of Hamlake, a title to which he acceded in 1543....

, he was father of Francis Courtenay

Francis Courtenay (died 1638)

Francis Courtenay was an English Member of Parliament.He represented Devonshire in 1625 and Grampound in 1626.He was the son of William Courtenay and father of Sir William Courtenay, 1st Baronet...

 and Sir George Courtenay, 1st Baronet. His second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Sydenham and widow of Sir Francis Drake

Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...

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In 1831 he was recognised as having been de jure 3rd 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...

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