William Courtenay (died 1630) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Courtenay
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Arms of Sir William Courtenay (1553–1630) of Powderham: Quarterly 1st & 4th, Or, three torteaux gules (Courtenay); 2nd & 3rd: Or, a lion rampant azure (Redvers)
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| Born | June 1553 |
| Died | 24 June 1630 (aged 76–77) |
| Resting place | St Clement's Church, Powderham, Devon |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | MP, lawyer |
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| Children | Sir William Courtenay Francis Courtenay Thomas Courtenay George Courtenay John Courtenay Alexander Courtenay Edward Courtenay Margaret Courtenay Bridget Courtenay Elizabeth Courtenay |
| Parent(s) | Sir William Courtenay Elizabeth Paulet |
Sir William Courtenay (born June 1553 – died June 24, 1630) lived at Powderham in Devon, England. He was an important person among the wealthy landowners, known as the gentry, in Devon. He served as the Sheriff of Devon from 1579 to 1580. He was also chosen three times to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Devon. This was a big honor. He was an MP in 1584, 1589, and 1601.
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Who Was Sir William Courtenay?
Sir William Courtenay was the only son of Sir William Courtenay (around 1529 – 1557). His mother was Elizabeth, whose father was John Paulet, 2nd Marquess of Winchester. His family lived at Powderham. His sister, Jane, married Sir Nicholas Parker. After his father passed away, his mother married Sir Henry Ughtred. Henry Ughtred's mother was Elizabeth Seymour, who was the sister of Jane Seymour, one of King Henry VIII's wives.
Sir William's Life and Work
Sir William became the head of his family when he was only four years old, after his father died in 1557. He studied to become a lawyer at the Middle Temple. He was made a knight on March 25, 1576.
He was the Sheriff of Devon from 1579 to 1580. The Sheriff was a powerful local official. Sir William also took part in the Munster Plantation in Ireland during the 1580s. This was a time when English settlers were given land in Ireland. He was given Desmond Hall and Castle in Newcastle West.
Sir William was elected as a Member of Parliament for Devon three times. He served in 1584, 1589, and 1601. In 1831, a special decision by the House of Lords recognized him as the 3rd Earl of Devon. This was a very important title.
Sir William's Family Life
Sir William Courtenay married three times during his life.
First Marriage and Children
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His first marriage was around January 18, 1573, to Elizabeth Manners. She was a daughter of Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland. They had seven sons and three daughters:
- Sir William Courtenay (died 1603): He was the oldest son. He became a knight in 1599 but died before his father and had no children.
- Francis Courtenay (1576 – June 3, 1638): He was the second son but became the oldest surviving son. He took over Powderham after his father. He was also an MP. In 1831, he was recognized as the 4th Earl of Devon.
- Thomas Courtenay
- Sir George Oughtred Courtenay (born around 1580–85): He was the 1st Baronet of Newcastle, Limerick. He married Catherine Berkeley in 1616. They had three sons:
- Sir William Courtenay (born around 1616)
- Francis Courtenay (born around 1617)
- Morris Courtenay
- John Courtenay
- Alexander Courtenay
- Edward Courtenay
- Margaret Courtenay: She was the oldest daughter. You can see her memorial with a kneeling statue in St Mary Magdalene's Church, Richmond, Surrey. She first married Sir Warwick Hele (1568-1626), who was also an MP. Then she married Sir John Chudleigh (born 1584).
- Bridget Courtenay
- Elizabeth Courtenay: She was the third daughter. She married Sir William Wrey, 1st Baronet of Tawstock in Devon. Her father's family crest, combined with her husband's, can be seen on a monument in Tawstock Church.
Second Marriage
His second wife was Elizabeth (died 1598). She was a daughter of Sir George Sydenham of Combe Sydenham in Somerset. She was also the widow of the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake (died 1596).
Third Marriage
His third wife was Jane Hill. She was a daughter of Robert Hill of Taunton, Somerset.
When Did Sir William Courtenay Die?
Sir William Courtenay passed away in London on June 24, 1630. He was buried in Powderham Church, Devon. His son, Francis, took over the family estates and titles after him.
