Otto Bodrugan facts for kids

Sir Otto I Bodrugan was an important person in England a long time ago. He was born on January 6, 1290, and died on September 6, 1331. People sometimes called him Otes. He owned a lot of land in Cornwall, was a soldier, and worked in politics.

Early Life and Family

Otto came from a very important family in Cornwall. His family had lots of land and a history of public service. His parents were Sir Henry Bodrugan and Sibyl Mandeville. Otto was their oldest son.

Otto was born in 1290. When his parents died, he was too young to take over their lands. He had to wait until he was 21 years old in 1311 to inherit everything. He inherited many large estates, called manors. These included places like Bodrugan, Restronguet, Tremodret, and Tregrehan. He also inherited the town of Looe and rights related to churches.

Political and Military Career

In 1321, Otto joined a group that rebelled against some powerful people called the Despensers. He was later forgiven for his part in this revolt.

In 1324, he was chosen to be a member of the Parliament of England for Cornwall. This was a big honor, and his father had also been a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1307. An MP is someone elected to represent their area in the country's government.

Otto died on September 6, 1331, when he was 41 years old. After he died, an official investigation was held to confirm his death and who would inherit his property.

Family Life

Before 1311, Otto married Margaret. She was the daughter of Sir William Champernowne. Margaret's brother, Sir Henry Champernowne, married Otto's sister, Joan Bodrugan.

Otto and Margaret had three sons and one daughter:

• Joan (died 1349), who married John Whalesborough.
• William (1311–1362). He had one daughter named Elizabeth. Elizabeth later married Sir Richard II Sergeaux.
• Otto II (died 1389). He was the Sheriff of Cornwall in 1381. He had a son named William I, who also became an MP for Cornwall. He also had a daughter named Joan (died 1428). Joan married four times and had children who carried on the family name.
• Henry, who married Isabel Whalesborough.

None of Otto's sons had legitimate male children who survived to inherit. Because of this, after many legal discussions, his lands were eventually divided. They were split between the descendants of William's daughter Elizabeth and Otto II's daughter Joan.