Biography of Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire 1563-1606

Paternal Family Tree: Blount

On 10 Oct 1544 [his grandfather] Charles Blount 5th Baron Mountjoy (age 26) died at Hooke, Dorset. His son [his father] James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 11) succeeded 6th Baron Mountjoy.

On 17 May 1558 [his father] James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 25) and [his mother] Catherine Leigh Baroness Mountjoy (age 26) were married. She by marriage Baroness Mountjoy.

In 1563 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire was born to James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 30) and Catherine Leigh Baroness Mountjoy (age 31).

Before 25 Jun 1576 [his mother] Catherine Leigh Baroness Mountjoy (age 44) died.

On 10 Jan 1581 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 21) and [his future wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 37).

On 10 Oct 1582 [his father] James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 49) died in Hook Okehampton, Devon. His son [his brother] William Blount 7th Baron Mountjoy (age 21) succeeded 7th Baron Mountjoy.

In 1594 [his brother] William Blount 7th Baron Mountjoy (age 33) died at Hooke, Dorset. His brother Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 31) succeeded 8th Baron Mountjoy.

Around 1597 [his illegitimate son] Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport was born illegitimately to Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 34) and [his future wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 33). Illegitimate at birth his parents subsequently married.

In 1597 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 34) was appointed 386th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 63).

In 1601, under Lord Mountjoy (age 38), he took part in the recapture of Kinsale from the Spanish invaders. Mountjoy left Caulfeild in charge of a bridge built by him over the River Blackwater, in command of 150 men, where the fort erected for its protection was called Charlemont.

In 1603 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 40) was created 1st Earl Devonshire.

Treaty of London

Around 1604 John Critz (age 53) is believed to have contributed to the Somerset House Conference painting of the negotiation of the Treaty of London in which Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset (age 68), Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham (age 68), Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 41), Henry Howard 1st Earl of Northampton (age 63) and Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 40) are represented on the right side.

In 1605 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick (age 45) and [his future wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 41) were divorced.

On 26 Dec 1605 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 42) and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) were married at Wansted House during a service conducted by Archbishop William Laud (age 32) (future). The marriage was regarded as uncanonical and resulted in the disgrace of both parties, who were banished from King James I's court circles. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex (age 62). They were third cousins.

Gunpowder Plot The Effect Of the Indictment. On 27 Jan 1606 the trial of the conspirators took place at Westminster Hall [Map].

The Commissioners were:.

Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham (age 70).

Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk (age 44).

Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 56).

Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 43).

Henry Howard 1st Earl of Northampton (age 65).

Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 42).

John Popham (age 75).

Thomas Fleming (age 61).

Peter Warburton (age 66).

The Effect of the Indictment.

Note. We have broken this very lengthy paragraph up into more manageable chunks..

THAT whereas our Sovereign Lord the King (age 39) had, by the Advice and Assent of his Council, for divers weighty and urgent Occasions concerning, his Majesty, the State, and Defence of the Church and Kingdom of England, appointed a Parliament to be holden at his City of Westminster; That Henry Garnet (age 50), Superior of the Jesuits within the Realm of England, (called also by the several names of Wally, Darcy, Roberts, Farmer, and Henry Philips), Oswald Tesmond Jesuit (age 43), otherwise called Oswald Greenwell, John Gerrard Jesuit (age 41), (called also by the several names of Lee and Brooke), Robert Winter (age 38), Thomas Winter (age 35), Gentlemen, Guy Fawkes (age 35) Gent. otherwise called Guy Johnson, Robert Keyes Gent. and Thomas Bates Yeoman, late Servant to Robert Catesby Esquire; together with the said Robert Catesby and Thomas Percy Esquires, John Wright and Christopher Wright Gentlemen, in open Rebellion and Insurrection against his Majesty, lately slain, and Francis Tresham Esq; lately dead; as false Traitors against our said Sovereign Lord the King, did traitorously meet and assemble themselves together; and being so met, the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and other Jesuits, did maliciously, falsly, and traitorously move and persuade as well the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, That our said Sovereign Lord the King, the Nobility, Clergy, and whole Commonalty of the Realm of England, (Papists excepted) were Hereticks; and that all Hereticks were accursed and excommunicate; and that none Heretick could be a King; but that it was lawful and meritorious to kill our said Sovereign Lord the King, and all other Hereticks within this Realm of England, for the Advancing and Enlargement of the pretended and usurped Authority and Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, and for the restoring of the superstitious Romish Religion within this Realm of England.

To which traitorous Persuasions, the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, traitorously did yield their Assents: And that thereupon the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and divers other Jesuits; Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as also the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright and Francis Tresham, traitorously amongst themselves did conclude and agree, with Gunpowder, as it were with one Blast, suddenly, traitorously and barbarously to blow up and tear in pieces our said Sovereign Lord the King, the excellent, virtuous and gracious Queen Anne, his dearest Wife, the most noble Prince Henry, their eldest Son, and future Hope and Joy of England; and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, the Reverend Judges of the Realm, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of Parliament, and divers other faithful Subjects and Servants of the King in the said Parliament, for the Causes aforesaid, to be assembled in the House of Parliament; and all them, without any respect of Majesty, Dignity, Degree, Sex, Age or Place, most barbarously, and more than beastly, traitorously and suddenly to destroy and swallow up.

And further did most traitorously conspire and conclude among themselves, That not only the whole Royal Issue-Male of our said Sovereign Lord the King should be destroyed and rooted out; but that the Persons aforesaid, together with divers other false Traitors, traitorously with them to be assembled, should surprize the Persons of the most noble Ladies Elizabeth and Mary, Daughters of our said Sovereign Lord the King, and falsly and traitorously should proclaim the said Lady Elizabeth to be Queen of this Realm: And thereupon should publish a Proclamation in the name of the said Lady Elizabeth; wherein, as it was especially agreed by and between the said Conspirators, That no mention should be made at the first, of the alteration of Religion established within within this Realm of England; neither would the said false Traitors therein acknowledge themselves to be Authors, or Actors, or Devisers of the aforesaid most wicked and horrible Treasons, until they had got sufficient Power and Strength for the assured Execution and Accomplishment of their said Conspiracy and Treason; and that then they would avow and justify the said most wicked and horrible Treasons, as Actions that were in the number of those, Quae non laudantur, nisi peracta, which be not to be commended before they be done: but by the said feign'd and traitorous Proclamation they would publish, That all and singular Abuses and Grievances within this Realm of England, should, for satisfying of the People, be reform'd.

And that as well for the better concealing, as for the more effectual accomplishing of the said horrible Treasons, as well the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, by the traitorous Advice and Procurement of the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and other Jesuits, traitorously did further conclude and agree, that as well the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, thereupon severally and traitorously should receive several corporal Oaths upon the holy Evangelists, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist, That they the Treasons aforesaid would traitorously conceal and keep secret, and would not reveal them, directly or indirectly, by Words or Circumstances, nor ever would desist from the Execution and final Accomplishment of the said Treasons, without the consent of some three of the aforesaid false Traitors first in that behalf traitorously had: And that thereupon as well the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christ. Wright, and Francis Tresham, did traitorously take the said several corporal Oaths severally, and did receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist aforesaid, by the Hands of the said Henry Garnet (age 50), John Gerrard (age 41), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), and other Jesuits.

And further, that the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35),Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, together with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright,Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, by the like traitorous Advice and Counsel of the said Henry Garnet (age 50), John Gerrard (age 41), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), and other Jesuits, for the more effectual compassing and final execution of the said Treasons, did traitorously among themselves conclude and agree to dig a certain Mine under the said House of Parliament, and there secretly, under the said House, to bestow and place a great Quantity of Gunpowder; and that according to the said traitorous Conclusion, the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomes Bates, together with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, afterwards secretly, not without great labour and difficulty, did dig and make the said Mine unto the midst of the Foundation of the Wall of the said House of Parliament, the said Foundation being of the thickness of three yards, with a traitorous Intent to bestow and place a great Quantity of Gunpowder in the Mine aforesaid, so as aforesaid traitorously to be made for the traitorous accomplishing of their traitorous Purposes aforesaid.

And that the said Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, together with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, finding and perceiving the said Work to be of great difficulty, by reason of the Hardness and thickness of the said Wall; and understanding a certain Cellar under the said House of Parliament, and adjoining to a certain House of the said Thomas Percy, then to be letten to farm for a yearly Rent, the said Thomas Percy, by the traitorous Procurement, as well of the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and other Jesuits, Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as of the said Robert Catesby, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, traitorously did hire the Cellar aforesaid for a certain yearly Rent and Term: and then those Traitors did remove twenty Barrels full of Gunpowder out of the said House of the said Thomas Percy, and secretly and traitorously did bestow and place them in the Cellar aforesaid, under the said House of Parliament, for the traitorous effecting of the Treason, and traitorous Purposes aforesaid.

And that afterwards the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and other Jesuits, Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes and Thomas Bates, together with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, and Christopher Wright traitorously did meet with Robert Winter (age 38), John Grant, and Ambrose Rookwood, and Francis Tresham, Esquires; and traitorously did impart to the said Robert Winter (age 38), John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, and Francis Tresham, the Treasons, traitorous Intentions and Purposes aforesaid; and did require the said Robert Winter (age 38), John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, and Francis Tresham, to join themselves as well with the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, in the Treasons, traitorous Intentions and Purposes aforesaid; and traitorously to provide Horse, Armour, and other Necessaries, for the better Accomplishment and effecting of the said Treasons.

To which traitorous Motion and Request, the said Robert Winter (age 38), John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, and Francis Tresham, did traitorously yield their Assents, and as well with the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), Robert Winter (age 38), Thomas Winter (age 35), Guy Fawkes (age 35), Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, as with the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, in the said Treasons, traitorous Intentions and Purposes aforesaid, traitorously did adhere and unite themselves: And thereupon several corporal Oaths, in form abovesaid, traitorously did take, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist, by the hands of the said Jesuits did receive, to such intent and Purpose, as is aforesaid; and Horses, Armour, and other Necessaries for the better effecting of the said Treasons, according to their traitorous Assents aforesaid, traitorously did provide.

And that afterwards all the said false Traitors did traitorously provide, and bring into the Cellar aforesaid ten other Barrels full of Gunpowder, newly bought, fearing lest the former Gunpowder, so as aforesaid bestow'd and placed there, was become dankish; and the said several Quantities of: Gunpowder aforesaid, with Billets and Faggots, lest they should be spy'd, secretly and traitorously did cover.

And that afterwards the said false Traitors traitorously provided, and brought into the Cellar aforesaid, four Hogsheads full of Gunpowder, and laid divers great Iron Bars and Stones upon the said four Hogsheads, and the aforesaid other Quantities of Gunpowder: And the said Quantities of Gunpowder, Bars, and Stones, with Billets and Faggots, lest they should be espy'd, secretly and traitorously did likewise cover.

And that the said Guy Fawkes (age 35), afterwards, for a full and final Accomplishment of the said Treasons, traitorous Intentions and Purposes aforesaid, by the traitorous Procurement, as well of the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), and other Jesuits, Robert Winter (age 38), Thomas Winter (age 35), Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, John Grant, and Ambrose Rookwood, as of the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Christopher Wright, and Francis Tresham, traitorously had prepared, and had upon his Person Touchwood and Match, therewith traitorously to give fire to the several Barrels, Hogsheads, and Quantities of Gunpowder aforesaid, at the time appointed for the Execution of the said horrible Treasons.

And further, that after the said horrible Treasons were, by the great Favour and Mercy of God, in a wonderful manner discover'd, not many hours before it should have been executed, as well the said Henry Garnet (age 50), Oswald Tesmond (age 43), John Gerrard (age 41), Robert Winter (age 38), Thomas Winter (age 35), Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, John Grant, and Ambrose Rookwood, as the said Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, traitorously did fly and withdraw themselves, to the intent traitorously to stir up and procure such Popish Persons, as they could, to join with them in actual, publick and open Rebellion against our said Sovereign Lord the King; and to that end did publish divers feigned and false Rumours, that the Papists Throats should have been cut; and that thereupon divers Papists were in Arms, and in open, publick, and actual Rebellion against our said Sovereign Lord the King, in divers Parts of this Realm of England.

On 03 Apr 1606 Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire (age 43) died at Savoy Palace [Map]. Earl Devonshire extinct.

On 07 Jul 1607 [his former wife] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 44) died.

Royal Ancestors of Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire 1563-1606

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire 1563-1606

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Blount 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Gresley

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Blount 3rd Baron Mountjoy 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Byron

Great x 3 Grandmother: Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy 8 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Berkeley 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lora Fitzhugh 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Lora Berkeley Countess Ormonde 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

GrandFather: Charles Blount 5th Baron Mountjoy 9 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Keble

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Keble Baroness Mountjoy

Father: James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Willoughby 7th Latimer of Corby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Willoughby 8th Baron Latimer of Corby 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Welby

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 1st Baron Willoughby 9th Baron Latimer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Cheney

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Cheney 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Stafford Baroness Kyme 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Champernowne

Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanche Champernowne

GrandMother: Anne Willoughby Baroness Mountjoy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Dorothy Grey Baroness Mountjoy, Willoughby and Latimer 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Thomas Leigh of Durham St Oswalds

Mother: Catherine Leigh Baroness Mountjoy