Edouard de Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon

Edward de Courtenay's father was the second son of Count Devon Hough , but his older brother and nephew died young, so that inheritance rights passed to the younger branch of the clan. After the death of his father, Edward inherited the vast possessions of his maternal grandfather, Sir John Downey (he owned 15 manors in Cornwall), and after the death of his second grandfather in 1377, he also received land in Devonshire and the title of Earl of Devon.

Edward began his career in the north. He participated in a number of Scottish campaigns and in 1380 was knighted by Thomas Woodstock . The following year, he met the bride of Richard II, Elizabeth of Bohemia, in Graveline and accompanied her to London. In 1383, Courtenay was appointed "admiral of the West" with the task of protecting the coast of Cornwall and Devonshire from French pirates; he soon left this post as a man inexperienced in maritime affairs.

Since 1395, Courtenay sat on the Royal Council; but already in 1400 he went blind and after that did not take part in state affairs. The 11th Earl of Devon died in 1419. Since the eldest son died during his lifetime, the second, Hugh , became the heir.

Edouard de Courtenay was married to Maud de Camois, daughter of Sir John de Camois and Elizabeth de Latimer. Four children were born in this marriage:

• Sir Edward de Courtenay (c. 1385-1418)
• Hugh de Courtenay, 12th Earl of Devon (1389-1422)
• James de Courtenay
• Elizabeth de Courtenay; 1st husband - John Harington, 4th Baron Harington ; 2nd husband - William Bonneville, 1st Baron Bonneville

• Edward de Courtenay, 3/11 Earl of Devon, at www.thepeerage.com