Renaud de Courtenay facts for kids
Renaud de Courtenay, also known as Reginald I de Courtenay, was an important French nobleman. He moved to England and started the famous English Courtenay family. This family later became the Earls of Devon in 1335, a title that is still held by his family today.
Where He Came From
Renaud was the son of Miles (Milo) de Courtenay. Miles was the lord of Courtenay in France. This area is now in the Loiret department of north-central France. Renaud's mother was Ermengard de Nevers.
His Life and Work
Renaud took over from his father as the lord of Courtenay. He joined the Second Crusade with King Louis VII of France. During this time, he had a disagreement with King Louis VII. Because of this, the King took Renaud's lands in France. The King then gave these lands, along with Renaud's daughter Elizabeth, to his youngest brother, Pierre (Peter) of France. Pierre then became known as Peter I of Courtenay. Renaud later moved to England and became the Lord of the Manor of Sutton in 1161.
His Family
Renaud de Courtenay was married twice.
- His first wife was Hélène (Hawise) du Donjon.
- His second wife was Maud du Sap. She was the daughter of Robert FitzEdith, who was an illegitimate son of King Henry I.
Renaud had children from his first marriage:
- Renaud II de Courtenay (born 1125, died 1194). In 1172, he went with King Henry II on an expedition to Ireland. He married Hawise de Curcy, who was the heiress of the feudal barony of Okehampton in Devon. Through this marriage, the Courtenay family gained Okehampton Castle. This castle stayed in the family for many generations. Their son, Robert de Courtenay, was the great-grandfather of Hugh de Courtenay, who became the first Earl of Devon.
- Elizabeth de Courtenay (born 1127, died 1205). King Louis VII of France arranged for her to marry his youngest brother, Peter of France. After their marriage, Peter became known as "Peter I of Courtenay".
