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Biography of John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon 1435-1471

Paternal Family Tree: Courtenay

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

1460 Battle of Wakefield

1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

Around 1420 [his father] Thomas Courtenay 13th Earl Devon (age 6) and [his mother] Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon (age 11) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset and [his grandmother] Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence (age 35). He the son of [his grandfather] Hugh Courtenay 12th Earl Devon (age 31) and [his grandmother] Anne Talbot Countess Devon (age 27). They were third cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1435 John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon was born to Thomas Courtenay 13th Earl Devon (age 21) and Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon (age 26) at Okehampton, Devon. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1449 [his mother] Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon (age 40) died.

In 1458 [his father] Thomas Courtenay 13th Earl Devon (age 44) died at Yattendon Castle [Map]. He was buried at Courtenay Chantry Chapel Exeter Cathedral. His son [his brother] Thomas Courtenay 14th Earl Devon (age 26) succeeded 14th Earl Devon, 9th Baron Okehampton, 7th Baron Courtenay.

Battle of Wakefield

On 30 Dec 1460 the Lancastrian army took their revenge for the defeats of the First Battle of St Albans and the Battle of Northampton at the Battle of Wakefield near Sandal Castle [Map]. The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 24) and Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), and included John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 25) and William Gascoigne XIII (age 30), both knighted, and James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford (age 25), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 50), Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), Henry Roos and Thomas St Leger (age 20).

The Yorkist army was heavily defeated.

Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 49) was killed. His son King Edward IV of England (age 18) succeeded 4th Duke York, 7th Earl March, 9th Earl Ulster, 3rd Earl Cambridge, 9th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.

Thomas Neville (age 30), and Edward Bourchier were killed.

Father and son Thomas Harrington (age 60) and John Harrington (age 36) were killed, the former dying of his wounds the day after.

William Bonville 6th Baron Harington (age 18) was killed. His daughter Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset succeeded 7th Baroness Harington.

Thomas Parr (age 53) fought in the Yorkist army.

Following the battle Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 60) was beheaded by Thomas "Bastard of Exeter" Holland. William Bonville (age 40) was executed.

Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland (age 17) was killed on Wakefield Bridge [Map] by John "Butcher" Clifford. Earl of Rutland extinct.


Before 02 Feb 1461 John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 26) and Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57) and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 52). He the son of Thomas Courtenay 13th Earl Devon and Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon. They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 02 Feb 1461 John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 26) was attainted.

In 1471 John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was restored 15th Earl Devon, 8th Baron Courtenay, 10th Baron Okehampton. [his wife] Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 31) by marriage Countess Devon.

After 14 Apr 1471 John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was buried at Tewkesbury Abbey [Map].

Battle of Tewkesbury

On 04 May 1471 King Edward IV of England (age 29) was victorious at the Battle of Tewkesbury. His brother Richard (age 18), Richard Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Powick (age 36), John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46), George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Bergavenny (age 31), John Savage (age 49), John Savage (age 27), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 40) fought. William Brandon (age 46), George Browne (age 31), Ralph Hastings, Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 38), James Tyrrell (age 16), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 38) were knighted. William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 40) commanded.

Margaret of Anjou (age 41) was captured. Her son Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 17) was killed. He was the last of the Lancastrian line excluding the illegitmate Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 11) whose line continues to the present.

John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was killed and attainted. Earl Devon, Baron Courtenay forfeit. Some sources refer to these titles as being abeyant?

John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 71) was killed. Baron Wenlock extinct.

John Delves (age 49), John Beaufort (age 30), William Vaux of Harrowden (age 35) and Robert Whittingham (age 42) were killed.

Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Humphrey Tuchet (age 37) and Hugh Courtenay (age 44) were captured.

Henry Roos fought and escaped to Tewkesbury Abbey [Map] where he sought sanctuary. He was subsequently pardoned.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 04 May 1471. In the year of our Lord 1471, around the feast of Saint George, [the King], having heard that Queen Margaret (age 41) along with her son Edward (age 17) and many other lords and nobles had landed in the western parts of England, and that many were flocking to her, hastened with his army against them, and near Tewkesbury, fiercely attacked them, slaughtering many and beheading some of the nobles captured there. The names of those chiefly slain there are these: Edward, the son of Queen Margaret, the Earl of Devon (age 36), Lord John of Somerset, Lord John Wenlock (age 71), Henry the recorder of Bristol, along with many others. The names of those beheaded there are these: the Duke of Somerset (age 32), the prior of the house of Saint John in Smithfield, London, Lord Humphrey Audley, along with many others.

Anno Domini 1471°, circiter festum Sancti Georgii, [Rex], audito quod Regina Margareta cum Edwardo filio suo et aliis dominis et proceribus multis in partibus occiduis Anglorum applicuisset, et quod multi ad eam confluerent, cum suo exercitu etiam adversus eos festinavit, et juxta Tewkisberi acriter in eos insiliens multos trucidavit et quosdam nobiles ibi captos decollavit. Nomina precipurorum ibi interfectorum sunt hec:—Edwardus filius Regine Margarete, comes Devonie, dominus Johannes de Somersete, dominus Johnannes Wenloc, Henricus recorder de Bristow, cum multis aliis. Nomina decollatorum ibidem sunt hec: dux de Somersete, prior domus Sancti Johannis in Smythfeld, London., dominus Hunfredus Awdelaye, cum multis aliis.

In 1484 [his former wife] Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 44) died.

John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon 1435-1471 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King Edward III of England 1312-1377

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster 1340-1399

Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey 1318-1372

Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 1306-1376

Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350-1397

Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales 1328-1385

Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster 1350-1403

Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 1314-1369

Royal Ancestors of John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon 1435-1471

Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 9 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 10 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 8 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 4 Grand Son of Philip IV King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon 1435-1471

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 9th Earl Devon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 10th Earl Devon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes St John Countess Devon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Courtenay Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Bohun Countess Devon Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward "Blind Earl" Courtenay 11th Earl Devon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

GrandFather: Hugh Courtenay 12th Earl Devon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Camoys Countess Devon

Father: Thomas Courtenay 13th Earl Devon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Talbot 1st Baron Talbot 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Talbot 2nd Baron Talbot 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Boteler Baroness Talbot

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Talbot 3rd Baron Talbot 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Comyn 3rd Lord Baddenoch 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Comyn Baroness Talbot 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Valence Lady Baddenoch

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Talbot 7th Baron Strange Blackmere 4th Baron Talbot 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Butler 1st Earl Carrick

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Butler 1st Earl Ormonde

Great x 2 Grandmother: Petronella Butler Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Bohun Countess Ormonde Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Anne Talbot Countess Devon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Giffard Baroness Strange Blackmere 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Strange 4th Baron Strange Blackmere 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ela Herdeburgh Baroness Wem and Oversley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Ankaret Strange 7th Baroness Strange Blackmere, Baroness Talbot 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Fitzalan Baroness Strange Blackmere 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Warenne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Vere

John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip IV King France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hainault II Count Hainault II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hainault I Count Hainault III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainault and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainault 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Giles "Payne" Roet

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster

Mother: Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Holand of Upholland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Holland 1st Baron Holand

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Zouche Baroness Holand 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Segrave

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret of France Queen Consort England 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Wake Countess Kent 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Fiennes Baroness Wake Liddell 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandMother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Warenne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Vere

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth

Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth