John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath facts for kids

Arms of Bourchier: A red cross on a silver shield, with four black water bougets

John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath (born July 20, 1470 – died April 30, 1539) was an important English nobleman. He was given the title of Earl of Bath in 1536. He also held the title of feudal baron of Bampton in Devon, which meant he was a powerful landowner in that area.

Who Was John Bourchier?

John Bourchier was born in Essex, England. He was the oldest son of Fulk Bourchier, 10th Baron FitzWarin (who died in 1479). His mother was Elizabeth Dynham. John also had a sister named Elizabeth Bourchier.

Family Life: His Marriages

John Bourchier married three times during his life:

First Marriage

His first wife was Cecily Daubeny. She was the daughter of Giles Daubeny, 8th Baron Daubeny. John and Cecily had eight children together.

Second Marriage

His second wife was Florence Bonville. She was a widow and the daughter of John Bonville.

Third Marriage

His third wife was Elizabeth Wentworth. She had been married twice before. Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Henry Wentworth from Nettlestead, Suffolk.

His Children

A small monumental brass in St Brannock's Church, Braunton, Devon. It shows Lady Elizabeth Bourchier (died 1548), who was the daughter of John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath. She is shown kneeling in prayer.

With his first wife, Cecily Daubeny, John Bourchier had eight children:

• John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath (died 1560). He later became the 2nd Earl of Bath.
• Lady Elizabeth Bourchier (died August 24, 1548). She married Edward Chichester. A special monumental brass showing her kneeling can be seen in St Brannock's Church, Braunton, Devon.
• Amias Bourchier
• Lady Dorothy Bourchier. She married Sir John Fulford.
• Giles Bourchier
• Lady Margaret Bourchier
• Lady Anne Bourchier
• Lady Eleanor Bourchier

Where Was He Buried?

John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath, was buried in Bampton Church in Devon. He had given money to the church to support a chantry, which was a place where prayers were said for the dead.

Although there is a fancy tomb in the church today, it is believed to belong to his grandmother, Thomasine Hankford. The Earl's own tomb was in the north part of Bampton Church. It was destroyed sometime after 1770. This tomb used to show statues of him and his first wife, Cecily Daubeny, along with their eight children.