John Cornwall, 1st Baron Fanhope
Encyclopedia
Sir John Cornewaille, 1st Baron Fanhope and Milbroke, KG, also known as Sir John Cornwall, (c. 1364 — December 11, 1443) and Sir John Cornouayl. An English nobleman, soldier and one of the most respected chivalric figures of his era.
, in Cornwall
, and baptized at Marazion
, in England
.
He was a noted "Master of grammar" and had a great influence on the teaching English in schools. See also John Trevisa
.
, and the younger sister of Henry IV of England
. She had previously been married to John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter
, with whom she had five children. John Holland was executed for conspiring to assassinate Henry IV during the Epiphany Rising
. Sir John’s marriage to Elizabeth caused some scandal as he failed to ask Henry IV for permission to marry his sister Elizabeth, which resulted in Sir John being arrested. However the marriage is said to have been a happy and loving one, and they went on to have two children.
Sir John and Elizabeth had two children together, John Cornewaille, who was born c. 1403 and died in December 1421. Young John Cornwall was only seventeen when he was killed at the Siege of Meaux
. He died next to his father, who witnessed his son’s head being blown off by a gun-stone. Sir John was deeply affected by witnessing the death of his son and heir, and vowed never to wage war on Christian princes. Sir John and Elizabeth’s daughter was Constance Cornwall who married John Fitzalan, 14th Earl of Arundel
, and died in 1427. Neither of Sir John’s children had any children of their own. Additionally, Sir John fathered two illegitimate sons, John and Thomas, whom he recognized in his will. Elizabeth predeceased Sir John in death; she died on November 24, 1425, and was buried at Burford Church, Burford, Shropshire
, England.
combat. During the Middle Ages
, tournaments were regarded as the greatest test of a warrior’s skill and valor; an idea reinforced by the prominent place that it occupied in popular Arthurian lore of the era.
As a soldier, Sir John had a long and distinguished career, serving in many campaigns. Early in his career, he is known to have served King Richard II in Scotland
, fought for the Duke of Lancaster in Brittany
, and fought for King Henry IV against Owain Glyndŵr
during the Welsh Uprising. Sir John continued his military service for King Henry V and King Henry VI during the Hundred Years’ War, most notably during in the battle of Agincourt
, where he led the English vanguard on the march from Harfleur
. He also served as a diplomat to the Armagnac
’s in France for his brother-in-law, Henry IV. Sir John held great favor through his relation and service to Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI.
Sir John amassed a considerable fortune and a great deal of land during his lifetime. He accomplished this through his marriage with Elizabeth, victories in tournaments, and the spoils of war. At the battle of Agincourt, Sir John captured Ghillebert de Lannoy, and Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme, whom he ransomed for large sums for money; and from 1429–1432, Henry VI granted custody of Charles, Duke of Orléans to Sir John. He profited greatly from the ransoms of prisoners, and used the spoils to build Ampthill
Castle
, and to buy Oyster Hill Manor from the Mayor of London
, William Walworth
. Sir John also became heavily involved in the mercantile community in London.
King Henry IV made Sir John Cornewaille a Knight of the Garter in 1409. He was created Baron Fanhope and a member of the King’s Privy Council
on July 17, 1433, and Baron Milbroke on January 30, 1442, by King Henry VI. Sir John’s titles became extinct on his death, as he left no legitimate issue.
Castle, in Bedfordshire, England. He was buried at Blackfriars Preachers, Ludgate, in Middlesex, England.
After his death, Ampthill Castle became royal property. Eventually, it was where Katherine of Aragon lived from 1531–1533, while Henry VIII
was attempting to divorce her. Ampthill Castle is now in ruins, and the friary, along with Sir John’s tomb, was destroyed during the Protestant Reformation
. Upon his death, it was discovered that Sir John was owed £2,989 in Exchequer
tallies by the crown (roughly £1.48 or $2.39 million in today’s money).
Early life
Sir John was the son of Sir John Cornewaille, who had been in service to Francis II, Duke of Brittany, and his wife, a niece of the Duke of Brittany. He was born aboard a ship which was docked in Mount's BayMount's Bay
Mount's Bay is a large, sweeping bay on the English Channel coast of Cornwall in the United Kingdom, stretching from the Lizard Point to Gwennap Head on the eastern side of the Land's End peninsula. Towards the middle of the bay is St Michael's Mount...
, in 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...
, and baptized at Marazion
Marazion
Marazion is a civil parish and town in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated on the shore of Mount's Bay, two miles east of Penzance and one mile east of Long Rock.St Michael's Mount is half-a-mile offshore from Marazion...
, 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...
.
He was a noted "Master of grammar" and had a great influence on the teaching English in schools. See also John Trevisa
John Trevisa
John Trevisa , was a Cornish writer and translator.Trevisa was born at Trevessa in the parish of St Enoder in mid-Cornwall, and was a native Cornish speaker...
.
Family
In 1400, Sir John married the widowed Elizabeth of Lancaster, Duchess of Exeter. Elizabeth was the daughter of John of Gaunt, the third surviving son of King Edward III of EnglandEdward 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 younger sister of Henry IV of England
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
. She had previously been married to John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter
John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter
John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter KG , also 1st Earl of Huntingdon, was an English nobleman, primarily remembered for helping cause the downfall of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester and then for conspiring against Henry IV.He was the third son of Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent and Joan...
, with whom she had five children. John Holland was executed for conspiring to assassinate Henry IV during the Epiphany Rising
Epiphany Rising
The Epiphany Rising was a failed rebellion against Henry IV of England in January 1400.-Background:After the murder of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester in 1397, Richard II rewarded those who had supported him against Gloucester and the Lords Appellant with a plethora of new titles.Upon...
. Sir John’s marriage to Elizabeth caused some scandal as he failed to ask Henry IV for permission to marry his sister Elizabeth, which resulted in Sir John being arrested. However the marriage is said to have been a happy and loving one, and they went on to have two children.
Sir John and Elizabeth had two children together, John Cornewaille, who was born c. 1403 and died in December 1421. Young John Cornwall was only seventeen when he was killed at the Siege of Meaux
Siege of Meaux
The Siege of Meaux was fought in 1422 between the English and the French during the Hundred Years' War. The English were led by King Henry V. Henry became ill while fighting this long battle, which took place during the winter months...
. He died next to his father, who witnessed his son’s head being blown off by a gun-stone. Sir John was deeply affected by witnessing the death of his son and heir, and vowed never to wage war on Christian princes. Sir John and Elizabeth’s daughter was Constance Cornwall who married John Fitzalan, 14th Earl of Arundel
John FitzAlan, 14th Earl of Arundel
John FitzAlan, 14th Earl of Arundel, 4th Baron Maltravers KG was an English nobleman and military commander during the later phases of the Hundred Years' War...
, and died in 1427. Neither of Sir John’s children had any children of their own. Additionally, Sir John fathered two illegitimate sons, John and Thomas, whom he recognized in his will. Elizabeth predeceased Sir John in death; she died on November 24, 1425, and was buried at Burford Church, Burford, Shropshire
Burford, Shropshire
Burford is a village and civil parish in Shropshire, England.- Location :The parish is situated to the north of the River Teme, on the other side of the Teme is the Worcestershire town of Tenbury Wells. To the west, the A456 road bridges the Ledwyche Brook, leading to the Herefordshire village of...
, England.
Peerage and military career
Sir John excelled in combat and was victorious in numerous tournaments, defeating many other knights in mêléeMêlée
Melee , generally refers to disorganized close combat involving a group of fighters. A melee ensues when groups become locked together in combat with no regard to group tactics or fighting as an organized unit; each participant fights as an individual....
combat. During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, tournaments were regarded as the greatest test of a warrior’s skill and valor; an idea reinforced by the prominent place that it occupied in popular Arthurian lore of the era.
As a soldier, Sir John had a long and distinguished career, serving in many campaigns. Early in his career, he is known to have served King Richard II in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, fought for the Duke of Lancaster in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, and fought for King Henry IV against Owain Glyndŵr
Owain Glyndwr
Owain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...
during the Welsh Uprising. Sir John continued his military service for King Henry V and King Henry VI during the Hundred Years’ War, most notably during in the battle of Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The 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...
, where he led the English vanguard on the march from Harfleur
Harfleur
-Population:-Places of interest:* The church of St-Martin, dating from the fourteenth century.* The seventeenth century Hôtel de Ville .* Medieval ramparts * The fifteenth century museums of fishing and of archaeology and history....
. He also served as a diplomat to the Armagnac
Armagnac (party)
The Armagnac party was prominent in French politics and warfare during the Hundred Years' War. It was allied with the supporters of Charles, Duke of Orléans against John the Fearless after Charles' father Louis of Orléans was killed at the orders of the Duke of Burgundy in 1407...
’s in France for his brother-in-law, Henry IV. Sir John held great favor through his relation and service to Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI.
Sir John amassed a considerable fortune and a great deal of land during his lifetime. He accomplished this through his marriage with Elizabeth, victories in tournaments, and the spoils of war. At the battle of Agincourt, Sir John captured Ghillebert de Lannoy, and Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme, whom he ransomed for large sums for money; and from 1429–1432, Henry VI granted custody of Charles, Duke of Orléans to Sir John. He profited greatly from the ransoms of prisoners, and used the spoils to build Ampthill
Ampthill
Ampthill is a small town and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, between Bedford and Luton, with a population of about 6,000. It is administered by Central Bedfordshire Council. A regular market has taken place on Thursdays for centuries.-History:...
Castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, and to buy Oyster Hill Manor from the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
, William Walworth
William Walworth
Sir William Walworth , was twice Lord Mayor of London . He is best known for killing Wat Tyler.His family came from Durham...
. Sir John also became heavily involved in the mercantile community in London.
King Henry IV made Sir John Cornewaille a Knight of the Garter in 1409. He was created Baron Fanhope and a member of the King’s Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
on July 17, 1433, and Baron Milbroke on January 30, 1442, by King Henry VI. Sir John’s titles became extinct on his death, as he left no legitimate issue.
Death
Sir John died on December 11, 1443, at AmpthillAmpthill
Ampthill is a small town and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, between Bedford and Luton, with a population of about 6,000. It is administered by Central Bedfordshire Council. A regular market has taken place on Thursdays for centuries.-History:...
Castle, in Bedfordshire, England. He was buried at Blackfriars Preachers, Ludgate, in Middlesex, England.
After his death, Ampthill Castle became royal property. Eventually, it was where Katherine of Aragon lived from 1531–1533, while Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
was attempting to divorce her. Ampthill Castle is now in ruins, and the friary, along with Sir John’s tomb, was destroyed during the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
. Upon his death, it was discovered that Sir John was owed £2,989 in Exchequer
Exchequer
The Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
tallies by the crown (roughly £1.48 or $2.39 million in today’s money).