Bohun

Margaret de Bohun 1311–1391

Twenty-Third Great Grandmother

Margaret de Bohun was born on Apr. 3, 1311. Margaret married Hugh de Courtenay on Aug. 11, 1325. She passed away on Dec. 16, 1391 at age 80. She was buried in Exeter Cathedral.

Bigelow, Melville M. "The Bohun Wills." American Historical Review July 1896: 639-44. Web. Will of Margaret de Courtenay, Countess of Devon, daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, and Elizabeth Plantagenet, daughter of Edward the First. Born about 1310; married to Hugh de Courtenay August 11, 1325; died December 16, 1391. Translated from a transcript of the original MS. in the Public Record Office, London (2 Rous), specially furnished.1 In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I, Margaret de Courtenay, Countess of Devonshire, in good sound life and memory make this my will the 28th day of January, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1390, in this manner. First, I commend my soul to God and to our Lady Saint Mary and to all the saints of heaven, and my body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of Exeter near my lord.2 And I wish that my debts be first paid out of all my goods and chattels which I have on the day of my decease, and that satisfaction be made to all my servants if any of them be in arrear. And I will for my herce and pray my executors that there be no other herce around me except bars to save the people in the press from harm, and two tapers each of five pounds, the one at my head the other at my feet, without torches or other lights or work of carpentry around me. And I wish that on the day of my burial there be distributed among poor men and women £20, and that distribution be made first to women intending to set out for Egypt ['gisauntz en gypsyen']3 and to poor men and women who cannot go ['aler'] to each a groat, and then to my poor tenants the remainder. And I wish to be buried at the end of thirteen weeks, and that each day of the said time there shall be said for the souls of my lord and myself 'placebo et dirige,' and masses. And I bequeath for keeping house for the same time £100; 1 In the margin of the MS., 'Testamentum Domine Margarite Curtenaye Comitisse Devonie matris Domini [Hugonis de Curtenaye, Comitis Devonie].' 2 That is, her husband, who had died thirteen years before. The word here and elsewhere in this will translated 'my lord' is 'Mounsire,' or perhaps 'Mounseigneur'; it is written 'Mounsr.' and 'Monsr.' 3 That is, on pilgrimage. 'Gisauntz,' which can hardly be from 'geter' or 'jeter,' much less from 'giser,' is probably from 'quider' ('cuider'), pres. part. 'quisans,' Eng. 'guess' (compare 'quoth' and 'be-queath'), to be thinking or intending (to go). Skeat says that 'guess' is cognate with A.S. 'gitan,' Eng. 'get,' and that 'guess' at first probably meant 'to try to get.' Etymological Dict. 'Guess.' 'Trying to get to Egypt' would agree with the idea of the gift. Skeat does not mention 'quider.' On bequests for pilgrimages see Sharpe's Calendar of Wills, Introd. II. xxviii.; Bridgett, Our Lady's Dowry, chs. 9, 10. if anything remains thereof I wish that so much in masses be chanted for my soul by the Friars Minorites of Exeter. And I wish that [memorial of] the day of my death shall be kept on the day after my interment. And I will for the souls of my lord and myself during the first year from my decease ten trentals.1 Item, I bequeath for the souls of my lord and myself to the Friars Minorites of Exeter for chanting seven annual diriges £10. Item, to the Friars Preachers of Exeter for chanting three annuals £4, 10sh. Item, I will for the souls of my lord and myself that one hundred poor men be clothed in coats, hats, shirts ['chemys'],2 and breeches ['breis'] and shoes. Item, I will for the souls of my lord and myself that £200 be distributed among the daughters of knights and gentlemen in aid of their marriage portions and to poor clerks3 to find [for them] at school, of which 100 marks to Margaret daughter of my son Philip de Courtenay, in aid of her marriage.4 Item, I bequeath for the shrine of Saint Albingh' £200. Item, I bequeath for my niece Courtenay of Canonlegh5 60sh. Item, I bequeath to the Abbess of Canonlegh 14sh. 4d. and to each nun ['dame'] there 3sh. 4d. Item, I bequeath to the Prioress of Polslo 13sh. 4d. and to each nun ['dame'] there 3sh. 4d. Item, to the Prioress of Cornworth 13sh. 4d. and to each nun there 3sh. 4d. Item, to the sisters of Ilchester6 13sh. 4d. Item, I bequeath to the Abbot and Convent of Ford7 100sh. and to each monk ['moigne'] there 3sh. 4d. and to each friar ['frere'] there 2sh. Item, I bequeath to the Prior and Convent of Henton Charterhouse 100sh. Item, I bequeath to the Prior of Bearliche and to the canons there 40sh. Item, I bequeath to our Lady of Walsingham my ring with which I was espoused and 40sh. Item, I bequeath to the Friars Preachers of Exeter 40sh. Item, to the Friars Minorites £10. Item, I pray, my very honored son [Archbishop] of Canterbury8 that the said Friars Minorites have £6, 13sh. 4d. to buy off a mark of rent which they carry out of their house yearly.9 Item, to the said friars a silver 'fesour.'10 Item, to brother John Trewynt 100sh. Item, I bequeath to the Bishop 1 That is (it seems) ten times the thirty masses on thirty days, or three hundred masses in as many days. 2 Speaking of the effigy of Richard the First at Fontevraud, as engraved by Stothard, Fairholt (Costume, I. 91) says: 'His tunic is white, and under this appears his camise or shirt.' 3 Clergy. 4 This provision in regard to marriage portions and poor clerks at school recalls the language of the famous Statute of Elizabeth in regard to gifts to charities. 43 Eliz. c. 4. See 1 Jarman, Wills, 200, 6th Am. ed. (Bigelow). 5 Canon Hill, Dorset ? 6 In Somerset. 7 Near Exeter. 8 This is the William de Courtenay before whom Wiclif had been summoned in 1377. He was then Bishop of London. 9 Interest at 10 per cent. 10 Utensil for dressing the vine. Jaubert's Glossaire, 'Fessour, fessoir.' 'Pioche large au milieu de la lame et terminée en pointe.' 'Houe, pioche pour les jardins.' Vayssier's Dict., 'Fessou.' Compare the gift to-day of a silver trowel. John Ware 60sh. Item, I bequeath to each of the four orders, that is to say, Preachers, Minorites, Carmelites, Austins, 100sh. for their Chapter-general. Item, I bequeath for putting upon the high altar of Crukern1 20sh. Item, [upon] the altar of Colyton, 30sh. Item, upon the altar of Exminster 40sh. Item, upon the altar of the Church of Okehampton 30sh. Item, upon the altar of the Church of Chulmley 30sh. Item, upon the altar of the Church of Plympton 30sh. Item, I bequeath for the repair of the chancel of Colyford 40sh. Item, for the repair of the chancel of Musbury marsh2 40sh. Item, I bequeath to the Cathedral Church of Exeter a pair of basins which were for [washing] the hands of my lord for every day for ministering at the high altar. Item, I bequeath to William my son, Archbishop of Canterbury, a gilt chalice and my missal which I had from Sir William Weston, and my best bed with all the apparel which he may wish to choose, and my diamond which I had from Joan my daughter and 40 marks for a vestment and a silver gilt goblet ['godet'] which I had from my brother of Northampton.3 And I wish that the aforesaid bed, after the decease of my said very honored son, remain in the Priory of Canterbury. Item, I bequeath to my said very honored son a pair of silver basins with the arms of Courtenay on the bottom, with God's blessing and my own. Item, I bequeath to Sir ['Monsire'] John Cobham4 a silver hanap with cover [having the figure] of an eagle. Item, to my daughter Cobham £40. Item, to my daughter Luttrell £40 of that which she owes me and a tablet of wood painted for each day, for the altar,5 and my tablet of Cypress [Ipres work ?] with the [figure of a] hand, and my book called Tristram. Item, to my daughter Dengayne £40 and my two primers, and a book called Artur de Britaigne.6 Item, I bequeath to my son, Earl of Devonshire, all my swans in the town of Toppesham and twelve dishes and twelve saucers of silver and two silver chargers. Item, to my daughter, the countess, his wife £20. Item, I bequeath to my son Philip de Courtenay all my chapel [furnishing] with books, vestments, candlesticks, censers, surplices and all other appurtenances of my said chapel, except what I have otherwise willed by my testament. Item, a silver hanap, covered and gilt, which belonged to the Bishop of Exeter, and a pair of basins enamelled in the bottom with the arms of Hereford and Courtenay quartered. Item, a wagon ['caru'] with all the apparel, at Thurlston. Item, another at Yelton and another at Brodewyndesore,7 and the crucifix which I have carried for my worship and that Richard, his son, shall have it after his descease, with God's blessing and mine. Item, I bequeath to my daughter 1 In Dorset. 2 This was not the only Church-in-the-Marsh; there was a church of Stratford-in-the-Marsh — the Stratford near London. Most of the places just named in the text bear the same names still, and are in Devonshire. 3 William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton. 4 Her son-in-law. 5 See Inventory, ante, p 430 among effects of Eleanor, sister of testatrix. 6 The original, probably, of the romances of King Arthur. 7 Broad Windsor, in Dorset. Lady Anne Courtenay a ring having a diamond, which I had from herself, [the ring being?] of gold chains,1 and £20. Item, I bequeath to Peter, my son, my red and green bed striped, with all the apparel, together with a Holland quilt ['quntepoynt'] striped with peacock's feathers and red velvet, a pair of sheets of Liège2 linen [figured] with quatrefoils, together with the best coverlet of menever, and a pair of silver basins having the arms of Hereford and Courtenay quartered in the bottom, enamelled, and a wagon ['carru'] with the apparel at 'Esteoker,' with God's blessing and mine. Item, to Sir ['Monsire'] Hugh Luttrell six dishes and six saucers of silver. Item, I bequeath to Richard Courtenay certain silver vessels of the value of £100, and that my very honored son of Canterbury have them in his keeping until he shall be of full age. And if he die under age, that my said very honored son dispose of them for my soul. Item, I bequeath to Hugh, son of the Earl of Devonshire, my little [grand] son, six dishes and six saucers of a sort. Item, I bequeath to Anneys Chamber[n]on3 £l3, 6sh. 8d. and a book of 'Medycynys et Marchasye,' and another book called 'Vices and Virtues,'4 and a book called 'Merlyn.'5 Item, to Alyson Anst 60 shillings. Item, to Margaret Drayton, my little [grand] daughter, £10, the which I have for her in my keeping, and also that she have £20 in the distribution of the £200 aforesaid. Item, I bequeath to the altar of the tomb of my lord and myself six towels having six frounces and twelve other towels, six pieces of linen for the altar, six albs, six amices having the apparel, six chasubles, six stoles together with six fanons, and two cruets of the round sort. Item, I bequeath to Thomas Staneys my beautiful diamond which I had from the queen.6 Item, to Sir Stephen the hermit ['Lermyte']7 of Crukern 40 shillings. Item, to John Radston 100 shillings. Item, to William Bykebury, to stock his lands, £20. Item, I wish that little Richard Hydon have 100 shillings of the £200 aforesaid, and that it be put to increase for him. Item, to Richard Trist 60 shillings (of the £200 aforesaid and that it be put to increase for him).8 Item, to 1 'Un anel ove un dyamaunt qe ieavoye de luy mesmes de Cheynes dor.' 2 A town in modern Belgium. 3 Probably the familiar Devonshire name Champernown, a family settled there before the time of this will (Gentleman's Magazine, III. 156, ed. Gomme), though, strangely enough, not appearing in the Index to Calendarium Cenealogicum. 4 'Vices and Virtues' appears also in the will of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, post, p. 647. The MS. has been printed by the Early Eng. Text Society, London, 1888, under the title, 'Vices and Virtues, being a soul's confession of its sins with Reason's description of the Virtues. A Middle-English dialogue of about A.D. 1200.' Edited by F. Holthausen. 5 Early Eng. Text Society, Wheatley; also in Geoffrey of Monmouth. And see Ellis, Early English Metrical Romances. 6 Probably Isabella, wife of her uncle, Edward the Second. 7 As to bequests to hermits and anchorites see Sharpe's Calendar of Wills, Introd. II. xxi. Most of the legatees following were probably of the household of the testatrix. 8 The words in parenthesis inserted, 'vacat.' my monk1 of Donkeswelle 40 shillings. Item, to Sir Henry Brokelond 40 shillings. Item, to Sir John Dodyngton six dishes, six saucers of silver, and my red missal, and a lean colt. Item, to Sir John Stowford 60 shillings. Item, to Sir Laurens Hankyn 100 shillings. Item, to Sir John Hamond 60 shillings. Item, to Sir Nell Brode 40 shillings. Item, to Sir Thomas Attelee 100 shillings. Item, to Sir John Dagnel, parson of Ken, 40 shillings. Item, to Sir Walter [architect ?] of my lord's tomb 60 shillings. Item, to Otis Chambernon 100 shillings and a good colt. Item, to Henry Burton £13, 6sh. 8d. and the best horse-colt which he may wish to choose. Item, to Jankyn Farewey 60 shillings. Item, to William Amadas 60 shillings. Item, to Jankyn Baret 40 shillings. Item, to the Bishop of Exeter the best gold paternoster which I have. Item, to the Abbot of Clyve 60 shillings. Item, to John Roger £10. Item, to John Spore 60 shillings. Item, to Simkin, clerke of the kitchen 100 shillings. Item, to Robert Halle 60 shillings. Item, to Baldwin Haghell 60 shillings. Item, to William Fychet 60 shillings. Item, to John Blessy 100 shillings. Item, to William Rohe 40 shillings. Item, to John Freke 40 shillings. Item, to Richard Baldwin 40 shillings. Item, to Walter Secher 40 shillings. Item, to Roger Thorneston 40 shillings. Item, to Thomasyn Lavandre2 40 shillings. Item, to Alice her handmaid ['damisel'] 13sh. 4d. Item, to John Damisel Gardiner3 of Exminster 13sh. 4d. Item, to William Allen 13sh. 4d. Item, to Thomas Perkyn 20 shillings. Item, to Bertlot 20 shillings. Item, to Walter Squillere 13sh. 4d. Item, to Thomas Love 13sh. 4d. Item, to Andrew Baker 13sh. 4d. Item, to John Hicks 13sh. 4d. Item, to William Typpe 40 shillings of the £200 aforesaid. Item, to William Porter 20 shillings. Item, to Bendbowe 13sh. 4d. Item, to Walter, page of the stable, 13sh.4 Item, to John Matford 13sh. 4d. And I bequeath all the residue of all my goods and chattels not willed in this my testament to my said very honored son the Archbishop of Canterbury to dispose of for my soul. And I make and appoint my said very honored son, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir ['Monsire'] John Cobham overseers ['surueyours'] of this my testament to oversee that all my will be accomplished. And for accomplishing this my testament I make and appoint as my executors my very dear sons Philip de Courtenay, Peter de Courtenay, Robert Wylford, Sir John Dodyngton, Otis Chambernoun, and Stephen Denclyve for the performing5 [the same] under the oversight of the said overseers in manner as aforesaid.6 [Probate not given.] 1 With 'mon moigne' compare 'monsire,' in the usage of the time. Both denote intimacy. 2 Tamasin of the laundry, probably. 3 Sic; but not to be taken as a person having three names. 'Gardiner' probably signifies occupation. 'Damisel' is odd. 4 These items, '13sh. 4d.' being a mark, it is probable that there is an omission here of the '4d.' 5 Redundant words. 6 Of the many great estates of the testatrix (Dugdale's Baronage, I. 640, for the list) one, Powderham, near Exeter, brought by her to her husband, is still the seat of the earls of Devon. The present earl, a descendant of one of the younger sons of the testatrix, is Rev. Henry Hugh Courtenay, Rector of Powderham. From the Courtenays, through the Grenvilles of Devon and Cornwall, has descended the distinguished family of Drakes of Ashe and other places in Devon; one of whom, John Drake, of Wiscombe, came to New England in 1630 and settled in Windsor, Connecticut, about 1636. From him, and two others of the Drake family who followed some years later, there are many descendants now living in the United States. Browning, Charles H. The Magna Charta Barons and Their American Descendants. Philadelphia, 1898. 344. Web. This book is not accepted by the Baronial Order of Magna Charta. 6. LADY MARGARET DE BOHUN, sister of Sir William de Bohun, K.G., created Earl of Northampton, and of John and Humphrey, Earls of Hereford and Essex. She d. 15 Richard II.,* having m.† 1325, Sir Hugh Courtenay, K.G., second Earl of Devon, d. 1377, who distinguished himself in arms in the warlike reign of Edward III., and was one of the original members of the Order of Knights of the Garter. * Her will dated January 28, 1390, given among the "Bohun Wills," American Historical Review, vol. i. 639. † See her father's will, dated August 11, 1319.

Humphrey de Bohun

Twenty-Fourth Great Grandfather

Humphrey de Bohun married Elizabeth on Nov. 14, 1302. Humphrey died on Mar. 16, 1322 in North Yorkshire, England. He was killed in the Battle of Boroughbridge.

Elizabeth of Rhuddlan 1282–1316

Twenty-Fourth Great Grandmother

Elizabeth was born on Aug. 7, 1282. She married Humphrey de Bohun on Nov. 14, 1302. She died on May 5, 1316 in Quendon, Essex, England at age 33. She was buried in Essex.

Humphrey de Bohun

Twenty-Fifth Great Grandfather

Humphrey de Bohun married Maud de Fiennes in 1275. Humphrey passed away on Dec. 31, 1298 in Pleshey, Essex, England. He was buried in Essex.

Twenty-Sixth Great Grandfather

Humphrey de Bohun married Eleanor de Braose. Humphrey married Joan de Quincy. He died in 1265 while imprisoned in Beeston, Cheshire, England.

Eleanor de Braose

Twenty-Sixth Great Grandmother

Eleanor de Braose married Humphrey de Bohun.

Humphrey de Bohun

Twenty-Seventh Great Grandfather

Humphrey de Bohun married Maud de Lusignan.

Henry de Bohun

Twenty-Eighth Great Grandfather

Henry de Bohun passed away on Jun. 1, 1220.

Humphrey III de Bohun

Twenty-Ninth Great Grandfather

Humphrey married Margaret.

Margaret of Huntingdon 1145–1201

Ancestor (5)

Margaret married Humphrey.