COURTENAY LORDS OF MORETON [HAMPSTEAD] 1309-1405
1293
Isabella Fortibus, the last direct descendant of the Redvers earldom of Devon, died without surviving heirs of the body in 1293, and her estates, and eventually the comital title in 1335 as 1st earl of Devon and the third penny of the county also, were inherited by Hugh Courtenay (1275-1340), the young head of a major baronial family in the region.
(‘Society, Economy and Lordship In Devon In The Age of The First Two Courtenay Earls, c. 1297-1377’. Robin J Burls PHD 2000 Bodlean Library Deposited Thesis)
1297
The two large Anglo-Norman honors of Okehampton and Plympton were for the first time united under a single lord, giving the Courtenay family unprecedented but not unique influence and leverage in local society.
(Ibid)
1309
Theobald de Grandisono sold Moreton to Hugh de Courtenay in 1309
‘In 1309 he (Theobald) conveyed, as tenant in chief, the manor of Mortone {Moretonhampstead}, Devon, in fee to Hugh de Courtenay (afterwards Earl of Devon), who in 1310 granted it to his younger son, Robert de Courtenay, and his issue , with remainder, failing issue, to himself and his heirs’.
(The Register of John de Grandison, Bishop of Exeter, part III 1899 pedigree of family by FJB Winchester)
This was approved by King Edward II
Hugh de Curtenay to retain the manor of Morton (Devon) acquired by him from Theobold de Grandisono.
(1309: Inquisition Ad Quod Damnum p112)
Hugh passed Moreton immediately to a son.
Pardon, after inquisition ad quod damnum, to Hugh de Curtenay for acquiring in fee, without licence, from Theobold de Grandisono, tenant in chief, the manor of Morton, co. Devon, with restitution thereof; licence also for him to grant the same to his son Robert and his issue, with remainder, failing issue, to himself and his heirs. By K., on the information of W. de Melton.
(1310 Calendar of Patent Rolls p212)
1310
Earl Hugh (1275-1340) may have changed his mind about the succession as he actually gave Moreton to his younger brother Sir Philip de Courtenay who called himself Sir Philip Courtenay de Moreton & (see below) was also called ‘lord of Moreton near Dartmoor‘ by the Chronicler of Ford Abbey.1 According to Sir William Pole’s Moreton was his ‘dwellinge’.2
1 Monasticon Anglicanum Vol V Ford Abbey p. 380
2 ‘Description of Devon’ 1791 p263 Internet Archive
1314
Robert de Courtenay, son of Hugh, succeeded to Moreton on death of his uncle Sir Philip who died without male issue at the Battle of Stirling aka Bannockburn.1
“The first Lord Hugh de Courtenay established himself in the inheritance of his ancestors and his lordship; and just as he surpassed his forefathers in rank, so he excelled and flourished in devotion and affection towards God and in the observance of religion. In this respect he possessed the virtues of sincerity, piety, purity, and prudence.
He took as his wife Eleanor, daughter of the noble lord Hugh le Despenser the elder, formerly lord of the manor of Hugh le Despenser, the renowned knight, afterwards Earl of Winchester, a man distinguished for his singular power and reputation.
By her he had Hugh the second, his heir and future Earl of Devon; and Philip, afterwards lord of Moreton near Dartmoor, a knight of distinction, who was slain on 8 July 1314 in the battle fought in Scotland near Stirling”.2
1 A Genealogical History of the Noble and Ilustrious Family of Courtenay (Internet Archive)
2 (Monasticon Anglicanum Vol V Ford Abbey p. 380).
1316
There may have a been a time lapse in the succession or it was not known unversally as the 1316 Feudal Aids records: “Hundred of Teignbridge: The manor of Moreton, together with Teign Canons, which is a dependent member of it; the lord of both is Hugh de Courtenay.”
(Feudal Aids Vol 1 p 378)
1318
Two years later Robert is recognised as lord of Moreton in the Charter Rolls.
20/11/1318
“Thomas, earl of Lancaster, the king’s kinsman, grant to Robert de Courtenay & his heirs, free warren in all their demesne lands in Moreton. By the king on the information of Hugh le Despencer the younger & Bartholomew de Badelesmere.”
(Charter Rolls)
1329
05/10/1329
Robert Courtenay of Moreton died in 1328 without a surviving male heir. He held a messuage, carucate, 9 acres of meadow, 2 water mills & 100s rent of king by service of mewing sparrowhawk yearly.1 He was succeeded by his brother Brother Hugh de Courtenay 2nd Earl of Devon (1303-77) heir aged 21+. Hugh paid the king 50s as a relief for Moreton.2
1 (IPM)
2 A Genealogical History of the Noble and Ilustrious Family of Courtenay (Internet Archive)
1334
23/09/1334
The King’s grant of special grace to Hugh de Courtenay the younger (1303-77) & his heirs weekly market on Saturday & yearly fair on feast of St Margaret the Virgin (9-11th June) & feast of St Andrew the Apostle (29Nov.-1st Dec.) at their manor of Morton co. Devon.
(Charter Rolls)
1335
22/11/1335
Licence for Hugh de Courtenay (1303-77) the younger to enfeoff Robert Pil & William de Chebeseye of the manor of Morton, co. Devon, held in chief, & for them to re-grant it to him, his wife Margaret & his heirs. By fine of 1 mark.
(Patent Rolls)
[Note: This is a licence to enfeoff and re-enfeoff, a very common legal device in the 14th century. to secure inheritance rights or provide for a wife.]
1346
VOL 1 P391
Hugh de Courtenay holds Moreton for half a knight’s fee.
Vol1 P391
“Concerning Hugh de Courtenay, who holds Moreton by the service of one sparrowhawk in socage {non military tenure}, which the Earl of Ulster formerly held; for which manor no relief was payable.”
Vol 1 P437
“From the tenants of the lands which belonged to Hugh de Courtenay, brother and heir of Robert de Courtenay, for half a knight’s fee in the manor of Moreton: 20 shillings.”
Vol 1 P440
“In the Memoranda of the ninth year, Michaelmas Term. The aforesaid collectors are charged, in the final account, with the said half knight’s fee under the names of the tenants of the lands of the aforesaid Hugh, according to this evidence.”
Vol 1 P441
Hugh Courtenay acknowledges he owes service to king for various places including Morton in the Teign hundred.
(Feudal Aids)
1350
23/06/1350
Hugh de Courtenay, earl of Devon, granted the manor of Moreton & Cadele in Devon & Brodewynsore in Dorset to his daughter Elizabeth de Veer, widow, after death of her first husband, but kept advowson.
(Patent Rolls)
1357
05/02/1357
Hugh & Margaret de Courtenay given licence to grant manor of Moreton to son Thomas de Courtenay though no evidence he ever entered into possession. Elizabeth de Veer continued as tenant under her parents until 1359 when she married Andrew Luttrel (Patent Rolls 33 Edward III 28th June 1359). This caused the earl to reconsider the ultimate disposal of the manor.
(Patent Rolls)
1359
06/10/1359
Hugh de Courtenay licensed to place the ‘manor & Hundred’ of Moreton in trust for himself & wife for life. Only on death of both to pass to son Thomas. He died in 1362 and his son had predeceased him in 1359. This forced another revision of the manor’s inheritance.
(Patent Rolls)
1373/4
Hugh de Courtenay, earl of Devon and his wife Margaret (Bohun d. 1391) to pass Moreton and Milton Dameral and advowsons to 6th son, Peter de Courtenay (d. 1405), then if no male issue to 4th son, Philip de Courtenay (d. 1406). Theinquiry does not appear to have been opposed as the proposals were confirmed.
(Inquisition Ad Quod Dampnum 47 Edward III File CCCLXXXII/6)
1374
15/02/1374
After the death of Hugh & Margaret de Courtenay, Moreton to pass to to 6th son Peter de Courtenay (d. 1405), then if no male issue to 4th son Philip de Courtenay (d. 1406) & if no male issue to his brother Philip (d. 1406).
(Patent Rolls)
1377
2/5/1377
Hugh de Courtenay died but Moreton was not mentioned in his IPM. Presumably because it was held jointly with his wife and so would not need to establish any heirs on his death.
1392
01/01/1392
Margaret, widow of Hugh de Courtenay, earl of Devon, died 27/12/1391. Morton. The manor, held of the king in chief, service not known.
(IPM)
1392
14/02/1392
To James de Chuddelegh escheator in Devon. Order to give the said Peter (de Courtenay) knight livery of the manor of Honeton the advowson excepted, the manors & advowsons of Morton & Milton Daumarle, all held in chief, & the issues thereof taken as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Margaret (Peter de Courtenay’s wife) held the manors of Honeton, Morton & Milton Daumarle & the said advowsons (as in the last), & the residue by gift of Hugh Segrave knight to her for life, all with remainder (as above); & for 20s. paid etc. (as above).
(Close Rolls)
1402
25/04/1402
We have inspected and confirmation to Peter de Courtenay, tenant of the manor of Morton, co. Devon, and his heirs of a charter dated at Westminster, 28 September, 8 Edward III [Charter Roll 8 Edward III, No. 18], granting to Hugh de Courtenay the younger and his heirs a market and two fairs at the manor. For 20s. paid in the hanaper {i.e paid standard Chancery fee of 20s}.
(Patent Roll)
Sir Peter held various properties bordering on the coastline of south Devon, and apparently was not averse to indulging in the illegal but profitable side-line of seizing salvage from wrecks, which properly should have been handed over to the king. Around the year 1398/99 he was involved in a dispute with the king concerning wines and other merchandise seized from a wreck, the goods being of ‘no small value’; and again in 1404 ‘merchandise to the value of £11.13.4 came into his hands, taken at sea.’
(R Heath Sparrow Hawk Key Copy P76 Moreton Archives)
1405
7/2/1405
Sir Peter de Courtenay died in February 1405 without issue, and his Inquisition Post Mortem records that he held – inter alia – ‘the manors and advowsons of Morton and Milton Daumarle; Morton held of the king in chief by knight’s service; worth by the year 20 marks.’
(IPM)
1405
15/05/1405
Pending allocation of his estates to the right heirs, his properties – including Moreton – were taken into the hands of the king’s (Henry IV) escheator for Devon. In accordance with the provisions of the Patent Roll of 1374, Sir Peter was succeeded by his brother, Sir Philip de Courtenay, Knight of the Garter, and the first Courtenay of Powderham.
(Close Rolls)