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All About History Books

The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Biography of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon 1475-1511

Paternal Family Tree: Courtenay

1495 Edward IV's Daughter's Marriages

1497 Perkin Warbreck Plot

In or before 1475 [his father] Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 15) and [his mother] Elizabeth Courtenay were married. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

In 1475 William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon was born to Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 16) and Elizabeth Courtenay.

Edward IV's Daughter's Marriages

In October 1495 William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 20) and Catherine York Countess Devon (age 16) were married. She the daughter of King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England. He the son of Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 36) and Elizabeth Courtenay. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England.

Around 1496 [his son] Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter was born to William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 21) and [his wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 16). He a grandson of King Edward IV of England.

Around 1497 [his son] Edward Courtenay was born to William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 22).

Perkin Warbreck Plot

Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. Around 10th September 1497. Hearing the news, the king (age 40) was no slower in leading an army to Exeter, Devon [Map] than the situation required. He sent ahead a goodly number of light horse to let everyone know of his approach. For meanwhile, under the leadership of [his father] Edward Courteney Earl of Devonshire (age 38) and his son William (age 22), an excellent and very brave young man, every noble hastened to come to the aid of Exeter, Devon [Map] with a great company of soldiers. Among these were Thomas Trenchard, Edmund Carew, Thomas Fulford, William Courteney, John Halliwell, John Croker, Walter Courteney, Peter Edgercombe (age 28), and William St. Maurice. When these things came to Peter's (age 23) ears, he abandoned the siege and removed to Taunton, Somerset [Map], the nearest town. There he reviewed his army and drew it up for the coming battle, although it later came to light that he had no great trust in that army. A goodly part were armed only with swords, otherwise unarmed, and ignorant of how to fight.

Around 1499 [his daughter] Margaret Courtenay Countess of Worcester was born to William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 24) and [his wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 19). She a granddaughter of King Edward IV of England.

On 20th September 1501 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset (age 46) died. On 20th September 1501 His son Thomas (age 24) succeeded 2nd Marquess Dorset, 2nd Earl Huntingdon, 8th Baron Ferrers of Groby. Eleanor St John Marchioness Dorset by marriage Marchioness Dorset.

On 12th July 1502 [his son] Edward Courtenay (age 5) died.

In February 1504 William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 29) was attainted and imprisoned at Tower of London [Map]. He was accused for supposedly having supported Edmund Pole 3rd Duke of Suffolk (age 33), a Yorkist claimant, in his claim to the throne; William's wife was [his wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 24).

Around 27th May 1509 [his father] Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 50) died. Earl Devon forfeit since his son William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 34), who would otherwise have succeeded to the titles, had been attainted in 1504.

On 10th May 1511 William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 36) was created 1st Earl Devon. He died a month later. [his wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 31) by marriage Countess Devon.

On 9th June 1511 William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 36) died of pleurisy. His son [his son] Henry (age 15) succeeded 2nd Earl Devon. His widow [his wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 31) subsequently took a vow of celibacy in the presence of Bishop Richard Fitzjames on 13th July 1511.

On 15th November 1527 [his former wife] Catherine York Countess Devon (age 48) died at Tiverton Castle [Map]. She was buried at St Peter's Church Tiverton, Devon.

Royal Ancestors of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon 1475-1511

Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon 1475-1511

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 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: Hugh Courtenay 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

GrandFather: Hugh Courtenay 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Father: Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Margaret Carminow

William Courtenay 1st Earl Devon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Courtenay Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Bohun Countess Devon Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

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

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Wake

Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip Courtenay 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Champernoun

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Champernoun 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Astley 3rd Baron Astley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Astley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Beauchamp Baroness Astley 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandFather: Philip Courtenay 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Hungerford

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hungerford

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzjohn

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Hussey

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Hussey

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hungerford 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Peverell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Peverell

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor or Catherine Peverell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Courtenay 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Muriel Moels

Mother: Elizabeth Courtenay 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Elizabeth Hingeston