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Biography of Laura Bourchier Countess Devon 1440-1484

Paternal Family Tree: Bourchier

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

1461 Battle of Towton

4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

On 18th February 1413 [her step-father] Thomas Grey of Heton (age 9) and [her mother] Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 4) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge (age 27) and [her grandmother] Anne Mortimer. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 25th April 1426 [her father] Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 22) and [her mother] Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Eu. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge and [her grandmother] Anne Mortimer. He the son of [her grandfather] William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu and [her grandmother] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford (age 43). They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1440 Laura Bourchier Countess Devon was born to Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 36) and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 31). She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.98%.

Before 2nd February 1461 John Courtenay 7th or 15th Earl Devon (age 26) and Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57) and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 52). He the son of Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon and Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Battle of Towton

On 3rd April 1461 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Courtenay 6th or 14th Earl Devon (age 29) was beheaded at York [Map] following his capture at the Battle of Towton. he was attainted; Earl Devon forfeit.

In 1471 [her husband] John Courtenay 7th or 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was restored 15th Earl Devon, 8th Baron Courtenay, 10th Baron Okehampton. Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 31) by marriage Countess Devon.

4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

On 4th May 1471 King Edward IV of England (age 29) was victorious at the 4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. His brother Richard (age 18), Richard Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Powick (age 36), John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46), George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny (age 31), John Savage (age 49), John Savage (age 27), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 40) fought. William Brandon (age 46), George Browne (age 31), Ralph Hastings, Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 38), James Tyrrell (age 16), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 38) were knighted. William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 40) commanded.

Margaret of Anjou (age 41) was captured. Her son Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 17) was killed. He was the last of the Lancastrian line excluding the illegitmate Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 11) whose line continues to the present.

[her husband] John Courtenay 7th or 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was killed and attainted. Earl Devon, Baron Courtenay forfeit. Some sources refer to these titles as being abeyant?

John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 71) was killed. Baron Wenlock extinct.

John Delves (age 49), John Beaufort (age 30), William Vaux of Harrowden (age 35) and Robert Whittingham (age 42) were killed.

Edmund Beaufort (age 32), Humphrey Tuchet (age 37) and Hugh Courtenay (age 44) were captured.

Henry Roos fought and escaped to Tewkesbury Abbey [Map] where he sought sanctuary. He was subsequently pardoned.

William Carey (age 34) was killed.

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On 4th April 1483 [her father] Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 79) died. He was buried firstly in Beeleigh Abbey [Map] and, thereafter, St Mary's Church, Little Easton [Map]. His grandson Henry succeeded 2nd Earl Essex, 3rd Count Eu, 2nd Viscount Bourchier, 6th Baron Bourchier.

In 1484 Laura Bourchier Countess Devon (age 44) died.

Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Volume 26 1903. The Rev. E. R. Dowdeswell, President of this Society in 1902, writing in 1877, says: "The Queen's room is still to be seen in Payne's Place in which Queen Margaret slept after the disastrous day at Tewkesbury1" On the day following the battle, Sunday, May 5th, when all the terrible details of the Lancastrian defeat had been told her, she fled, perhaps to Little Malvern Priory, under the shadow of the Hereford Beacon, or it may be to some "powrer religiows place" which has long since been destroyed and forgotten. Two days later Edward was assured that "she shud be at his commaundment", and by his orders Sir Willlam Stanley conducted the bereaved Queen to him at Coventry, where he tarried from the 12th to the 16th of May2.

Note 1. Barett, Almanack and Year Book for 1877.

Note 2. Warkworth tells us that the following ladies were also taken prisoners: The young wife of Prince Edward, the Countess of Devon, and Dame Kateryne Vaux.

Warkworth's Chronicle. And afterward these ladyes were takene, Quene Margaret, Prynce Edwardes wyf, the secunde dowghtere of the Earl of Warwicks, the Countasse of Devynschire, Dame Kateryne Vaus. And these were taken, and noʒt slayne; Sere Jhon Fortescu, Sere Jhon Sentlow, Sire Herry Roos, Thomas Ormonde, Doctour Makerell, Edward Fulforde, Jhon Parkere, Jhon Bassett, Jhon Wallys, Jhon Thromere Throgmertone, and dyverse other men. And there was takene grete good, and many good horse that were brought frome beyond the see.

Laura Bourchier Countess Devon 1440-1484 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of Laura Bourchier Countess Devon 1440-1484

Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 4 Grand Daughter of King Philip IV of France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Laura Bourchier Countess Devon 1440-1484

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bourchier

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter of Colchester

Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen of Colchester

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bourchier

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Prayers Baroness Bourchier

GrandFather: William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Louvain

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Louvaine

Father: Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hainault II Count Hainault II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hainault I Count Hainault III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainault and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainault 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandMother: Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton Grand Son 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 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth

Laura Bourchier Countess Devon 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hainault II Count Hainault II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hainault I Count Hainault III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainault and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainault 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter "Cruel" I King Castile 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabella of Castile Duchess York 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Garcia Padilla

Great x 3 Grandfather: Juan García Padilla 1st Lord Villagera

Great x 2 Grandmother: Maria Padilla

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fernán González Henestrosa

Great x 3 Grandmother: María González Henestrosa Lady Villagera

Mother: Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 3rd Earl March, Earl of Ulster 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury

Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Montagu Countess March

Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 4th Earl March 3rd Earl of Ulster Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 2nd Countess Ulster Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Donn Burgh 3rd Earl of Ulster Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Burgh Duchess of Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Plantagenet Countess Ulster Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandMother: Anne Mortimer 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Holland 1st Baron Holand

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Zouche Baroness Holand 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wake Countess Kent 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland Countess March and Ulster 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth