The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Baron Okehampton is in Baronies of England Alphabetically, Baronies of England Chronologically, Forfeit Baronies of England.
Summary
26th July 1242. Robert Courtenay 1st Baron Okehampton [aged 72] created.
26th July 1242. Son John Courtenay 2nd Baron Okehampton [aged 18] succeeded.
3rd May 1274. Son Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton [aged 23] succeeded.
28th February 1292. Son Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon [aged 15] succeeded.
23rd December 1340. Son Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 37] succeeded.
2nd May 1377. Grandson Edward Courtenay 3rd or 12th Earl Devon [aged 20] succeeded.
5th December 1419. Son Hugh Courtenay 4th or 12th Earl Devon [aged 30] succeeded.
16th June 1422. Son Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon [aged 8] succeeded.
1458. Son Thomas Courtenay 6th or 14th Earl Devon [aged 26] succeeded.
3rd April 1461. Thomas Courtenay 6th or 14th Earl Devon forfeit. See 29th March 1461 Battle of Towton.
December 1512. Second Cousin Twice Removed Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 16] restored.
9th December 1538. Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter forfeit. See Exeter Conspiracy.
Before 1164 Renaud Courtenay [aged 38] and Hawise Courcy were married. He by marriage Baron Okehampton.
After 1196 Robert Courtenay 1st Baron Okehampton [aged 26] and Mary Vernon Redvers Baroness Okehampton were married. She by marriage Baroness Okehampton. The difference in their ages was 26 years. She the daughter of William Redvers 5th Earl Devon and Mable de Beaumont. They were sixth cousins. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Before 26th July 1242 Robert Courtenay 1st Baron Okehampton [aged 72] was created 1st Baron Okehampton. There were Barons of Okehampton before it came into the possession of the Courtenay family but these Barons are somewhat obscure.
On 26th July 1242 Robert Courtenay 1st Baron Okehampton [aged 72] died. His son John [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Baron Okehampton.
Before 25th March 1249 John Courtenay 2nd Baron Okehampton [aged 24] and Isabel Vere Baroness Okehampton [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Baroness Okehampton. She the daughter of Hugh de Vere 4th Earl of Oxford [aged 41] and Hawise Quincy Countess Oxford. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 3rd May 1274 John Courtenay 2nd Baron Okehampton [aged 49] died. His son Hugh [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Baron Okehampton.
Before 14th September 1276 Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton [aged 25] and Eleanor Despencer Baroness Okehampton [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Baroness Okehampton. They were half fifth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Around 28th February 1292 Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon [aged 15] and Agnes St John Countess Devon [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Baroness Okehampton.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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On 28th February 1292 Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton [aged 40] died at Cullicombe, Devon. His son Hugh [aged 15] succeeded 4th Baron Okehampton.
On 23rd December 1340 Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon [aged 64] died. His son Hugh [aged 37] succeeded 2nd Earl Devon, 5th Baron Okehampton, 2nd Baron Courtenay. Margaret Bohun Countess Devon [aged 29] by marriage Countess Devon.
On 2nd May 1377 Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 73] died at Exeter, Devon [Map]. His grandson Edward [aged 20] succeeded 3rd Earl Devon, 6th Baron Okehampton.
On 5th December 1419 Edward Courtenay 3rd or 12th Earl Devon [aged 62] died. His son Hugh [aged 30] succeeded 4th Earl Devon, 7th Baron Okehampton, 5th Baron Courtenay. Anne Talbot Countess Devon [aged 26] by marriage Countess Devon.
On 16th June 1422 Hugh Courtenay 4th or 12th Earl Devon [aged 33] died. His son Thomas [aged 8] succeeded 5th Earl Devon, 8th Baron Okehampton, 6th Baron Courtenay. Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon [aged 13] by marriage Countess Devon.
In 1458 Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon [aged 44] died at Yattendon Castle [Map]. He was buried at Courtenay Chantry Chapel Exeter Cathedral. His son Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 6th Earl Devon, 9th Baron Okehampton, 7th Baron Courtenay.
On 3rd April 1461 Thomas Courtenay 6th or 14th Earl Devon [aged 29] was beheaded at York [Map] following his capture at the Battle of Towton. he was attainted; Earl Devon, Baron Courtenay, Baron Okehampton forfeit.
In December 1512 Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 16] was restored 2nd Earl Devon, 10th Baron Okehampton by an Act of Parliament.
On 9th December 1538 at Tower Hill [Map]:
Edward Neville [aged 67] was beheaded
Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 42] was beheaded with a sword. Marquess Exeter, Earl Devon, Earl Devon, Baron Okehampton forfeit as a consequence of his attainder.
Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu [aged 46] was beheaded