See also
| Husband: | Hugh + of COURTENAY (1248-1291) | |
| Wife: | Alianore + of DESPENSER (c. 1250- ) | |
| Children: | Hugh + of COURTENAY (1275-1340) | |
| Name: | Hugh + of COURTENAY | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | John + of COURTENAY (1224-1274) | |
| Mother: | Isabel + of VERE (1228-1300) | |
| Birth | 25 Mar 1248 | |
| Death | 28 Feb 1291 (age 42) | Cullicomb, Devonshire, England |
| Burial | Cowick Priory, near Exeter | |
| Name: | Alianore + of DESPENSER | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | 1250 (est) | |
| Name: | Hugh + of COURTENAY | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Spouse: | Agnes + of SAINT JOHN (c. 1280- ) | |
| Birth | 14 Sep 1275 | |
| Occupation | Earl of Devon | |
| Death | 23 Dec 1340 (age 65) | |
Hugh de Courtenay was the son and heir of John de Courtenay of Okehampton. Hugh was born on 25 March 1248/9 or 1250/1. The doubt over the location of the conception and birth has posed problems for historians. Under a diem clausus extant writ issued on 11 May 1274 it stated that Hugo de Corteney is the son and next heir apparent of John de Curtenay and is aged 25 [27 years for the Devon earldom inheritance] and will inherit his Dorset lands at tantum amplius (meaning at full maturity)- from the Feast of the Annunciation of St Mary Proxima. For some reason the lands that were spread over the southern counties were inherited at different stages in his life. The lands in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire had been inherited when he was twenty-four years old; but his Somerset lands became part of his domain the following year. However an accurate dating of these events depends on his date of birth.
Relations with king and militaryOn 16 June 1274 Hugh did homage to a young King Edward, but this was respited. In order to avoid military service Courtenay paid a fine on 12 December 1276. He was called to arms on the emergency against the Welsh princes, fighting in the 1282 campaign. He attended upon the King at Shrewsbury on 28 June 1283. He again absented himself from the wars on 14 June 1287 by paying the King's justice a fine.
[edit] MarriageHugh de Courtenay married Alianore le Despenser, daughter of Hugh le Despenser of Ryhall, Rutland by Aline Basset, daughter of Philip Basset of Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and Compton Bassett and Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. Despenser was a Justiciar of England. Basset was also a Justiciar.
[edit] IssueHugh de Courtenay (14 Sept 1275-23 Dec 1340), later declared the first Courtenay to be created Earl of Devon. He was 9th earl in the first creation.
Isabella de Courtenay, said to be a daughter, married to John de St John, 1st Lord St John of Basing (died 1329).
[edit] DeathHugh de Courtenay died at Cullicomb, Devon on 28 February 1291/2. He was buried at Cowick Priory, near Exeter. The date of his death is correctly recorded in the Forde Abbey Chronicles. However the Fine Rolls decided upon his death on 5 March and issued a writ affirming deceased on 24 March. A post-mortem inquest took place in London from 3 April to 27 May 1292. Records for his Buckinghamshire estates relate that his death was "after the Feast of St Peter and to the Feast of the Exalted St Crucis".