Edward de Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon
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Edward Courtenay, 3rd Earl of Devon, also known as Edward de Courtenay, was the son of Edward, the third son of fifteen children, and a grandson of Hugh, 10th Earl of Devon
. His father Edward had died on 20 September 1372, within the lifetime of his grandfather. Edward was born at Goodrington
, Devon on May 3, 1357 to Sir Edward by his wife, Emmeline, a wealthy heiress to the fortune of Sir John Dawnay
and Sybil Treverbin. Sir John owned large estates in Devon, but had no male heir, leaving his considerable fortune to his daughter. After the disappointments and setbacks of 13th Century, the Courtenay dynasty were heartened by the prospect of new monies. He was still a minor when King Edward III, a rock of stability and permanence died.
Like his ancestors, Edward was a soldier. He served in the Scottish wars and after some success was knighted in 1380 by the Earl of Buckingham. The following year King Richard II sent Courtenay as an emissary to escort his Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia from Gravelines
harbour to London for her marriage.
In 1383 he was appointed Admiral of the West, responsible for policing the seas off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. His brother Sir Hugh was a famed pirate; the Council believed that the Earl should protect the River Exe. French pirates attempted several incursions into the Devonshire interior. Edward was more a soldier and relinquished the post.
He was appointed to the King's Council in 1395 that attended Richard II in Westminster Hall.
By 1400, the Earl was blind. He probably contracted a disease such as leprosy or erysipelas which attacked the retina in his eyes. He died on 5 December 1419. There was an interesting dispute as to where exactly he was buried. To scholars it was almost certainly at Forde Abbey
. But to folklore he was interred at Tiverton. The source for this rumour was apparently Thomas Risdon in his Survey of Devon published in 1630. The monumental inscription was said to be a poem, thus
"Ho, ho who lies here?
I, the good Earle of Devonshire,
And Mauld my wife that was full deare;
We lived together LV yeare.
That we spent we had:
That we gave we have:
That we left we lost. "
His will was written on 29 June 1419, and he died shortly afterwards later that year on December 5. Probate was conducted in 1420.
He married Maud Camoys, daughter of Ralph Lord Camoys and Elizabeth Despenser. They had a number of children, including the following:
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...
. His father Edward had died on 20 September 1372, within the lifetime of his grandfather. Edward was born at Goodrington
Goodrington
Goodrington is a coastal village in Devon, England. It is situated in Torbay and lies between Torquay and Brixham, less than south of Paignton....
, Devon on May 3, 1357 to Sir Edward by his wife, Emmeline, a wealthy heiress to the fortune of Sir John Dawnay
Sir John Dawnay
John Dawney was born to Nicholas Dawney [Dawnay] and his wife, Elizabeth at Madfordferry, Somerset. He became a famous soldier and embarked with King Edward III of England on his expedition to Honfleur in 1346. He fought in the victory at the Battle of Crécy, for which he was knighted. He died...
and Sybil Treverbin. Sir John owned large estates in Devon, but had no male heir, leaving his considerable fortune to his daughter. After the disappointments and setbacks of 13th Century, the Courtenay dynasty were heartened by the prospect of new monies. He was still a minor when King Edward III, a rock of stability and permanence died.
Like his ancestors, Edward was a soldier. He served in the Scottish wars and after some success was knighted in 1380 by the Earl of Buckingham. The following year King Richard II sent Courtenay as an emissary to escort his Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia from Gravelines
Gravelines
Gravelines is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies at the mouth of the river Aa 15 miles southwest of Dunkirk. There is a market in the town square on Saturdays. The "Arsenal" approached from the town square is home to an extensive and carefully displayed art collection....
harbour to London for her marriage.
In 1383 he was appointed Admiral of the West, responsible for policing the seas off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. His brother Sir Hugh was a famed pirate; the Council believed that the Earl should protect the River Exe. French pirates attempted several incursions into the Devonshire interior. Edward was more a soldier and relinquished the post.
He was appointed to the King's Council in 1395 that attended Richard II in Westminster Hall.
By 1400, the Earl was blind. He probably contracted a disease such as leprosy or erysipelas which attacked the retina in his eyes. He died on 5 December 1419. There was an interesting dispute as to where exactly he was buried. To scholars it was almost certainly at Forde Abbey
Forde Abbey
Forde Abbey is a privately owned former Cistercian monastery in Dorset, England. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the estate is farmed to provide additional revenue...
. But to folklore he was interred at Tiverton. The source for this rumour was apparently Thomas Risdon in his Survey of Devon published in 1630. The monumental inscription was said to be a poem, thus
"Ho, ho who lies here?
I, the good Earle of Devonshire,
And Mauld my wife that was full deare;
We lived together LV yeare.
That we spent we had:
That we gave we have:
That we left we lost. "
His will was written on 29 June 1419, and he died shortly afterwards later that year on December 5. Probate was conducted in 1420.
He married Maud Camoys, daughter of Ralph Lord Camoys and Elizabeth Despenser. They had a number of children, including the following:
- Sir Edward de CourtenaySir Edward de Courtenay-Life and career:Born about 1388, Edward was to be one of the great medieval warriors. His family had risen to the heights of power as advisers to King Richard II. On the usurpation Edward threw in his lot with the Lancastrian monarchy. He was knighted on 13 October 1399 at the coronation of...
(1388—Aug 1418), father's son and heir apparent. Married in c.1408, Eleanor Mortimer, second daughter of Roger, 4th Earl of March by Alianore HollandAlianore HollandAlianore Holland, Countess of March was an English noblewoman, and the wife of Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March the heir presumptive of her half-uncle King Richard II of England, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. She was the mother of Anne Mortimer, and Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March...
, daughter of Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of KentThomas Holland, 2nd Earl of KentThomas Holland , 2nd Earl of Kent, 3rd Baron Holand KG was an English nobleman and a councillor of his half-brother, King Richard II of England.-Family and early Life:...
. - Hugh de Courtenay, 12th Earl of DevonHugh de Courtenay, 12th Earl of DevonSir Hugh de Courtenay, 4th Earl of Devon was an English admiral and nobleman.He was the son of Sir Edward de Courtenay and Maud de Camoys. He married Anne Talbot. They had one son, Thomas de Courtenay, 13th Earl of Devon....
(1389 — 16 June 1422). He married Anne Talbot, daughter of Richard Lord Talbot by Ankaret le Strange, sister of John, 1st Earl of ShrewsburyEarl of ShrewsburyEarl of Shrewsbury is a hereditary title of nobility created twice in the peerage of England.-First creation, 1074:The first creation occurred in 1074 for Roger de Montgomerie, one of William the Conqueror's principal counselors...
. - James de Courtenay. Died without issue.
- Elizabeth de Courtenay. Died 18 October 1471. She married: firstly, John, 4th Lord Harington in 1411, who died on 11 April 1418, and secondly, William Bonville, 1st Baron BonvilleWilliam Bonville, 1st Baron BonvilleWilliam Bonville, 1st Baron Bonville, KG was an English nobleman, soldier, and administrator. He was a staunch Yorkist supporter during the Wars of the Roses, and he was executed following the Yorkist defeat at the Second Battle of St Albans, by the orders of Queen consort Margaret of Anjou...
(1393–1461) by whom she had issue.