Margaret de Bohun, Countess of Devon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret de Bohun
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| Countess of Devon | |
Margaret de Bohun, detail of her effigy (heavily restored) situated next to that of her husband on a chest tomb in Exeter Cathedral
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| Born | 3 April 1311 Caldecote, Northampton |
| Died | 16 December 1391 (aged 80) |
| Buried | Exeter Cathedral |
| Noble family | Bohun |
| Spouse(s) | Hugh Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon |
| Issue | Sir Hugh Courtenay, KG Thomas Courtenay Sir Edward Courtenay Robert Courtenay William Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury Sir Philip Courtenay Sir Peter Courtenay, KG Humphrey Courtenay Margaret Courtenay (the elder) Elizabeth Courtenay Katherine Courtenay Anne Courtenay Joan Courtenay Margaret Courtenay (the younger) ______ Courtenay (7th daughter) ______ Courtenay (8th daughter) ______ Courtenay (9th daughter) |
| Father | Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford |
| Mother | Elizabeth of Rhuddlan |
Margaret de Bohun, Countess of Devon (born April 3, 1311 – died December 16, 1391) was a very important lady in medieval England. She was the granddaughter of King Edward I and Eleanor of Castile. Margaret was married to Hugh Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon.
She had an unusually large family for her time, with seventeen children. Among them were a future Archbishop of Canterbury and six knights. Two of her sons were even founding members of the special Order of the Garter. Margaret was also quite unique because she received a classical education. She loved learning and collecting books throughout her life.
Contents
Margaret's Early Life and Family
Who Were Margaret's Parents?
Lady Margaret de Bohun was born on April 3, 1311. Her birthplace was Caldecote, Northamptonshire. She was the third daughter and seventh child of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford. Her father was also the Lord Constable of England.
Margaret's mother was Elizabeth of Rhuddlan. Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile. This means Margaret was a granddaughter of a king!
Becoming an Orphan and Getting an Education
Margaret's childhood was marked by loss. Her mother died when Margaret was only five years old. Six years later, just before her eleventh birthday, her father was killed. He died in an ambush during the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322. This left Margaret an orphan at a young age.
Despite these challenges, Margaret and her brothers and sisters received a special education. They were taught by a Greek scholar named Master Diogenes from Sicily. Thanks to this, Margaret became a lifelong learner. She loved to study and collect books.
Margaret's Marriage and Dowry
On August 11, 1325, when she was fourteen, Margaret married Hugh de Courtenay. He would later become the 10th Earl of Devon. They had been promised to each other since Margaret was only three years old.
As part of her marriage agreement, Margaret received the manor of Powderham as her dowry. This estate was located near Exeter. Margaret officially became the Countess of Devon on December 23, 1340.
Margaret's Siblings and Their Families
Margaret had several notable siblings. Her older brother, John de Bohun, became the 5th Earl of Hereford. Her younger brother, William de Bohun, was made the 1st Earl of Northampton by King Edward III.
Her elder sister, Lady Eleanor de Bohun, married James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormonde. Eleanor and James were ancestors of two famous queens: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Parr.
Margaret's Large Family and Legacy
How Many Children Did Margaret Have?
Margaret and Hugh Courtenay had a very large family. They had seventeen known children! Most of their children lived to adulthood. Their many descendants include members of the British royal family. Even former British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, is a descendant.
Notable Children of Margaret and Hugh
- William Courtenay (born around 1342 – died July 31, 1396): He became the Archbishop of Canterbury, a very important religious leader.
- Sir Philip Courtenay (born around 1345 – died July 29, 1406): He lived at Powderham Castle.
- Sir Peter Courtenay (died February 2, 1405): He was a Knight of the Garter, a special honor.
Margaret passed away on December 16, 1391, at the age of eighty. She was buried in Exeter Cathedral.
