Okehampton Castle

In the 14th century our ancestor--Sir Hugh de Courtenay--transformed what was originally a simple motte and bailey castle into a luxurious hunting lodge.

He redeveloped the 11th century castle when the family was granted the Earldom of Devon. With new wealth from the lands, funds were used to redevelop the castle and build a new 1,700 acre deer park that stretched out south from the castle.

Fashionable lodgings were constructed which took advantage of the stunning views across the landscape. The de Courtenays prospered and the castle was further expanded to accommodate the growing household.

By the 19th century it was a ruin and became popular with Picturesque painters, including J. M. W. Turner. It appears much the same today. Click on the image if you want to see more detail.

Hugh, the 2nd Earl of Devon 1303-1377

Our 22nd Great-Grandfather, Hugh de Courtenay was the 2nd [10th] Earl of Devon in England, born on 12 July 1303. His parents were Hugh, the 1st Courtenay Earl of Devon, and Agnes de St John, daughter of Sir John St John of Basing.

Hugh de Courtenay is a descendant of Magna Carta surety barons Robert de Vere and Saher de Quincy.

War

Hugh fought in Scotland and in France for King Edward III.

1333

In Scotland with the King where they slew 8 Earls, 1300 horsemen, and 35000 infantrymen at Halidown-Hill.

1339

Sir Hugh and his brother Sir Thomas Courtenay of Southpole led their Devonshire and Cornish men against the French invasion fleet landing in the west. They defended the coasts of Cornwall with some distinction and forced the French to return to their own country.

1342

With King Edward III as he battled in France in the siege of Vannes.

Contract Marriage

He had been promised to wed Margaret de Bohun by contract when he was 11 years old in 1314. Her dowry included the manor of Powderham near Exeter. She was granddaughter to King Edward I. They married in 1325 and had 17 children.

Sons

Their son Philip built the manor house that is still in use today by the Courtenays at Powderham. Firstborn son, Hugh, was one of the founding knights of the Knights of the Garter and was in King Edward III's inner circle. Unfortunately he died before his father and so never inherited the Earl of Devon title.

Daughters

Our connection to Hugh the 2nd Earl of Devon is through his daughter Margaret the Elder. There was much younger daughter named Margaret as well.

Father-in-law

In 1322, Hugh's father-in-law to be (Humphrey de Bohun) was killed during a battle at the Scottish front. See Not a Good Way to Die.

Moreton Market 1334

The King granted Hugh permission to hold a weekly Market at Moreton Manor on Saturdays. He could also have 2 fairs a year. One at the Feast of St. Andrew and another at the Feast of St. Margaret.

Tiverton Market 1370

All of the profits from the Market at Tiverton was given to the poor of that parish.

Carmelite White Fryars

In 1350 Sir Hugh was given leave by the King to take a year off from his court duties. During that year, he built the House of the White Fryars on Fleet Street.

Death

Hugh died at Tiverton in 1377, the same year that King Edward III died.

Margaret did not remarry. She died at almost 80 years of age in 1391. There is a detailed list of her final wishes. I will mention just a few.

Every one of the poor was to be given a groat on the day of her funeral.

Daughters of Knights: Marriage portions

Scholarships for the poor

Son William, Archbishop of Canterbury: Gilt chalice and missale

Daughter Margaret (our connection): 40 pounds

Daughter Engain: a book called Arthur of Britain

Grandson Earl of Devon: all of her swans at Topsham

Tomb

Sir Hugh and his countess Margaret are entombed in Exeter Cathedral, with impressive effigies immortalizing them for the ages.

Margaret's de Bohun family heraldic symbol is shown as two intertwined swans at her feet.

I relied extensively on information from the book "A Genealogical History Of The Noble And Illustrious Family Of Courtenay, In Three Parts" by Ezra Cleveland. Originally published in 1735.

And of course, the oracle that is Google.

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