Chapter 5: 

Sir Hugh Courtenay (1359 – 5 March 1425)

17 generations between Sir Hugh Courtenay and James Rupuha Elers

The lives of Sir Hugh Courtenay and Philippa L'Arcedekne

Source: Wikipedia

• Sir Hugh Courtenay, of Boconnoc Cornwall, and of Haccombe Devon, was born in 1359 (Wikipedia) the second son of Sir Edward Courtenay and Lady Emeline Dawney. (It is well recorded that Hugh was the second son born, so the Find A Grave record in (figure 1) can hardly be correct as the declared birth date there of 1351 would have made him the eldest).

• He was Sheriff of Devon for 1418/ 1419 and was thrice elected Knight of the Shire for Devon in 1395, 1397, and 1421.

• Hugh married Philippa L’Arcedekne, the third of his four wives, (figure 1a), daughter of Warin L’Arcedekne and his wife Elizabeth (Talbot) L’Arcedekne.

• His elder brother Edward was due to inherit the Earl of Devon title as well as the vast Courtenay estates, and thus as the second son with no prospective patrimony, Hugh was given the estate of Boconnoc by his mother Emeline, which he made his seat (Wikipedia).

• In 1378 Hugh had taken part with his uncles Sir Peter and Sir Phillip Courtenay, in an unsuccessful naval expedition against Spain at which he was captured, but quickly ransomed (Wikipedia).

• Over the years Hugh acquired considerable property, much of it by way of his four marriages (Wikipedia).

• He died on 5 March 1425 (figure 1) leaving a son Edward, and two daughters, Joan and Eleanor, by his third wife Philippa, and two sons by his fourth wife Matilda (Maud) being Edward and Hugh (Wikipedia).

• Sir Hugh was buried at St Blaise Church, Haccombe, Devon beside Philippa (figures 2 and 2a)  who had died c1414.

• Sir Hugh’s effigy shows him dressed as a knight in full armour, his head rests on a helm on top of which is the Courtenay crest, a panache of ostrich feathers (Wikipedia).

• Hugh’s four wives were: firstly, Elizabeth Fitzpayn (died by 1392). No issue from this marriage. Secondly, he married Elizabeth Cogan in 1393. She died on 29 Oct 1397, with no surviving issue. Thirdly, before 1407 he married Philippa L’Arcedekne. Fourthly in 1417 he married Matilda Beaumont (died 3 Jul 1467) by royal licence dated 16 October 1417 (Wikipedia).

PROGENY OF HUGH and PHILIPPA

1. Edward Courtenay

• Edward was born in 1409 and as the only son he was therefore heir apparent. But he pre-deceased his father at the age of 16 (died 1425).

• He is believed to be represented by the very fine miniature alabaster effigy in St Blaise Church, next to the large monument dedicated to his parents. Two angels support his pillow and a dog is at his feet. 

• Had he lived he would have been not only Lord of the Manor of Haccombe but also Earl of Devon, and would have prevented the Carew family from inheriting Haccombe.

2. Joan Courtenay

• See the bio for Joan in “The Lives of Joan Courtenay and Sir Nicholas Carew” – Chapter 6.

3. Eleanor Courtenay – no information found, except the fact that when Philippa died, the land that belonged to her was divided between the two daughters Joan and Eleanor (Wikipedia).

Hugh and his fourth wife Lady Matilda (Beaumont) Courtenay had two sons:

1. Sir Edward Courtenay 

• Born in 1417 and died with no issue.

2. Sir Hugh Courtenay

• Born in 1427. Married Margaret Carminow.

• He was beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471) having fought for the defeated House of Lancaster.