The Manor of Molland was a

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

manor in North

Devon Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. It was largely co-terminous with the parish of Molland, where it was situated the village of

Molland Molland is a small village, civil parish, dual Civil parishes in England, ecclesiastical parish with Knowstone, located in the foothills of Exmoor in Devon, England. It lies within the North Devon local government district. At the time of the ...

. More accurately, it consisted of two separate manors, held from separate overlords, later known as ''Molland-Bottreaux'' and ''Molland-Champson''.

Descent of the manor

The Exeter

Domesday Book Domesday Book ( ; the Middle English spelling of "Doomsday Book") is a manuscript record of the Great Survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 at the behest of William the Conqueror. The manuscript was originally known by ...

of 1086 records three entries for manors called "Molland", two in South Molton

hundred 100 or one hundred (Roman numerals, Roman numeral: C) is the natural number following 99 (number), 99 and preceding 101 (number), 101. In mathematics 100 is the square of 10 (number), 10 (in scientific notation it is written as 102). The standar ...

and one in North Molton

. The latter does not relate to today's village and estate of Molland, but to a separate ancient small manor later called "Molland-Sarazen", about 7 miles to the north-west, in the modern parish of

North Molton North Molton is a village, parish and former Manorialism, manor in North Devon, England. The population of the parish in 2001 was 1,047, decreasing to 721 in the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census. An electoral ward with the same name also ...

. It is now memorialized by the name of Higher Molland Farm and Molland Cross. This manor in North Molton hundred was held by Tetbald, son of Berner, who was the father-in-law of Odo. The two entries for Molland in South Molton hundred relate to a former ancient division of the present unified manor into two parts: One larger part listed under the

demesne A demesne ( ) or domain was all the land retained and managed by a lord of the manor under the feudal system for his own use, occupation, or support. This distinguished it from land subinfeudation, sub-enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants. ...

of the king, the other much smaller part under the lands of

Geoffrey de Montbray Geoffrey de Montbray (died 1093), also known as Montbrai, Mowbray or Geoffrey of Coutances, was a Normans, Norman nobleman, :wikt:secular, secular prelate, warrior and administrator who was Bishop of Coutances from 1049 to 1093. He was an adviser ...

(died 1093), Bishop of Coutances, both in the county of "Devenesira" or "Devrescira". These two divisions of Molland later became known respectively as "Molland Bottreaux" after the Botreaux family and "Molland Champeaux" now memorialized by Champson Farm, between Molland Church and West Molland Barton. The royal manor was granted by the king to the Botreaux family as his

tenants-in-chief In medieval and early modern Europe, a tenant-in-chief (or vassal-in-chief) was a person who held his lands under various forms of feudal land tenure directly from the king or territorial prince to whom he did homage, as opposed to holding them ...

whilst the smaller manor became a part of the feudal barony of Barnstaple and was granted, by the feudal barons of Barnstaple, several other manors (see below), to one of their knights, a member of the de Champeaux family ( Latinised to de Champellis/Campellis).

Molland-Bottreaux

Domesday Book, Molland-Bottreaux

The text of Exeter

of 1086, relating to the manor later known as Molland-Bottreaux, under the heading "The King's Demesne belonging to the kingdom in Devenesscira" is as follows (abbreviations indicated by

tilde The tilde (, also ) is a grapheme or with a number of uses. The name of the character came into English from Spanish , which in turn came from the Latin , meaning 'title' or 'superscription'. Its primary use is as a diacritic (accent) in ...

s expanded):

''Mollande tempore regis Edwardi geldabat pro iiii hidis et uno ferling. Terra est xl carucis. In dominio sunt iii carucae et x servi et xxx villani et xx bordarii cum xvi carucis. Ibi xii acrae prati et xv acrae silvae. Pastura iii leugae in longitudine et latitudine. Reddit xxiiii libras ad pensam. Huic manerio est adjuncta Blachepole. Elwardus tenebat tempore regis Edwardi pro manerio et geldabat pro dimidia hida. Terra est ii carucis. Ibi sunt v villani cum i servo. Valet xx solidos ad pensam et arsuram. Eidem manerio est injuste adjuncta Nimete et valet xv solidos. Ipsi manerio pertinet tercius denarius de Hundredis Nortmoltone et Badentone et Brantone et tercium animal pasturae morarum''

Translated as follows:

Molland in the time of King Edward (the Confessor) paid geld for four hides and one furlong. There is land for forty ploughs. In
demesne A demesne ( ) or domain was all the land retained and managed by a lord of the manor under the feudal system for his own use, occupation, or support. This distinguished it from land subinfeudation, sub-enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants. ...
are three ploughs, and ten serfs, and thirty villeins, and twenty bordars, with sixteen ploughs. There are twelve acres of meadow, and fifteen acres of wood. Pasture three leagues in length and breadth. It renders twenty-four pounds by weight. To this manor has been annexed Blackpool. Alward held it in the time of King Edward as a manor, and it paid geld for half a hide. There is land for two ploughs. There are five villeins with one serf. It is worth twenty shillings by weight and assay. To the same manor has been unjustly annexed Nymet, and it is worth fifteen shillings. To the same manor pertains the third penny of the hundreds of
North Molton North Molton is a village, parish and former Manorialism, manor in North Devon, England. The population of the parish in 2001 was 1,047, decreasing to 721 in the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census. An electoral ward with the same name also ...
and Bampton and
Braunton Braunton is a large village, civil parishes in England, civil parish, ecclesiastical parish and former Manorialism, manor in Devon. The village is situated west of Barnstaple. It is one of the largest villages in Devon with a population at th ...
, and the third animal of the pasture of the moors.

Botreaux

The larger manor was granted by the king to a Norman knight named ''de Botreaux'', probably from Les Bottreaux, Upper Normandy, 40 km SW of Evreux, in the modern departement of

Eure Eure ( ; ; or ) is a department in the administrative region of Normandy, northwestern France, named after the river Eure. Its prefecture is Évreux. In 2021, Eure had a population of 598,934.Forrabury on the North Cornish coast, now known as Boscastle after his family. The manor which then became known as "Molland-Bottreaux" included the adjacent manor of Knowstone and before 1189 either the original recipient of Molland or his descendant, a certain "William de Botreaux" gave the

advowson Advowson () or patronage is the right in English law of a patron (avowee) to present to the diocesan bishop (or in some cases the ordinary if not the same person) a nominee for appointment to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church living, a ...

s of the churches of Forrabury, Molland and Knowstone to the newly founded Hartland Abbey, on the coast about half-way between Forrabury and Molland. These grants were confirmed by

King Richard I Richard I (8 September 1157 – 6 April 1199), known as Richard the Lionheart or Richard Cœur de Lion () because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior, was King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199. He also ru ...

(1189–1199) soon after he became king, in a charter dated 8 November 1189. A further grant dated 1295 by the

Bishop of Exeter The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary (officer), ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The current bishop is Mike Harrison (bishop), Mike Harrison, since 2024. From the first bishop until the sixteent ...

of the Church of Knowstone to Hartland Abbey survives in the Somerset Records Office, with good impressions of seals. The advowsons of all three churches continued to be held by Hartland until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The earliest member of the family who can be firmly identified is Reynold (died 1273), father of William (died 1302), father of William (died 1342), father of Reynold (died 1346), father of William (died 1349) who was the father of William de Botreaux, 1st Baron Botreaux (1337–1391). The Botreaux landholdings expanded greatly when William de Botreaux (died 1349) married Isabel de Moels, daughter and co-heiress of her father John de Moels, 4th Baron Moels (died 1337) whose family had held since the time of Nicholas de Moels(died. c. 1270) a moiety of the

feudal barony A feudal baron is a vassal holding a heritable fief called a ''barony'', comprising a specific portion of land, granted by an overlord in return for allegiance and service. Following the end of European feudalism, feudal baronies have largely bee ...

of North Cadbury, Somerset. Isabel's co-heiress was her sister Muriel, wife of Sir Thomas Courtenay (died 1356), younger son of Hugh Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (died 1340)). The sisters' uncle Nicholas de Moels, 2nd Baron Moels (died 1316) had been the husband of Margaret Courtenay (died 1349), the 1st Earl's sister. The ''caput'' of the feudal barony was at North Cadbury. John de Botreaux the 3rd son of the 1st Baron is said to have lived at Molland. The first baron's son was William de Botreaux, 2nd Baron Botreaux (1367–1395) and his son was William de Botreaux, 3rd Baron Botreaux (1389–1462), who was the last of the male line, and was buried in North Cadbury Church, where his effigy with that of his wife Elizabeth Beaumont survives today. In 1435 he was appointed by Richard, Duke of York (died 1460), father of the future King Edward IV (1461–1483), as forester of the

royal forest A royal forest, occasionally known as a kingswood (), is an area of land with different definitions in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The term ''forest'' in the ordinary modern understanding refers to an area of wooded land; however, the ...

s of

Exmoor Exmoor () is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England. It is named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, two miles north-west of Simons ...

and of Neroche, Somerset.

Hungerford

On the death of the 3rd Baron Botreaux without male heir his sole heiress to his large estates including Molland was his daughter Margaret de Botreaux (died 1477) who married Robert Hungerford, 2nd Baron Hungerford (died 1459), to whom the lands passed ''

jure uxoris ''Jure uxoris'' (a Latin phrase meaning "by right of (his) wife"), citing . describes a title of nobility used by a man because his wife holds the office or title '' suo jure'' ("in her own right"). Similarly, the husband of an heiress could beco ...

''. When Lord Hungerford's sister Elizabeth married Sir Philip Courtenay (1404–1463) of Powderham, she took with her the manor of Molland-Bottreaux for her marriage portion. Sir Philip was the grandson of Sir Philip Courtenay, KG, (1340–1406) of Powderham, the 4th son of Hugh Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon (1303–1377) by his wife Margaret de Bohun, daughter of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford (died 1322). He had been bequeathed the Bohun manor of Powderham by the will of his mother dated 1390, the estates of his father having all descended to his eldest brother Hugh Courtenay, K.G. (1326–1349) and his descendants, Earls of Devon.

Courtenay of Molland

= Sir Philip Courtenay (1430–7 February 1489)

= The first Courtenay to have been seated at Molland was Sir Philip Courtenay (c. 1430–7 February 1489), Sheriff of Devon in 1470, and a Member of Parliament. He was the second son of Sir Philip Courtenay (1404–1463) of Powderham by his wife Elizabeth Hungerford, daughter of Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford (died 1449), by his first wife Catherine Peverell, daughter of Sir Thomas Peverell, MP, of Parke and Hamatethy, Cornwall. He was given by his mother the manor of Molland as his

marriage portion A dowry is a payment such as land, property, money, livestock, or a commercial asset that is paid by the bride's (woman's) family to the groom (man) or his family at the time of marriage. Dowry contrasts with the related concepts of bride price ...

and established there his own branch of the family. He married a certain Elizabeth (c.1432-1482) (possibly daughter and heiress of John Wonwell (d.pre-1458) of Wonwell in the parish of Kingston, Devon), the widow of William Hingeston/Hyndeston who was an MP for Exeter in 1442 and for Devon 1445–51. Elizabeth had a son from her first marriage named Robert Hyndeston, aged 30 at her death. Rogers described as "seemingly portions of a raised tomb" fragments of sculpted stone decorated with gothic

quatrefoil A quatrefoil (anciently caterfoil) is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture, heraldry and traditional ...

s and heraldic shields, which stand in Molland Church. These form a small box-like object now situated railed-off on the floor against the east wall of the north aisle under the mural monument to John Courtenay (died 1732). This object was referred to by W.G. Hoskins as "a curious double heart-stone...a receptacle for the hearts of a Courtenay and his wife". The escutcheons show the arms of Courtenay alone and quartering a bend, on which in 1877 were visible three indistinct charges. One escutcheon of Courtenay is supported by two dolphins. Sir Philip Courtenay had the following children: *John Courtenay (1466–1510), of Molland, eldest son and heir (see below) *Philip Courtenay, second son, who married Jane Fowell, daughter of Richard Fowell of Fowelscombe, Ugborough. He was the heir of his brother William of Loughtor and Loughtor descended to his sole daughter and heiress Elizabeth Courtenay, who married William Strode (died 1579) of Newnham, Plympton St Mary, and on which site in about 1700 they built their new seat of New Newnham House, today known as Newnham Park, a 1,500 acre estate and the site of a clay-pigeon shooting school, in 2014 still owned by descendants of this marriage. WilliamCourtenayOfLoughtorMonument

WilliamCourtenay_OfLoughtor_WithCourtenayArmorials

*William Courtenay (third son), of Loughtor, Plympton St Mary, Devon, in the church of which exists his probable effigy. The Courtenays, before they had become Earls of Devon, had been feudal barons of Okehampton and of

Plympton Plympton is a suburb of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England. It is in origin an ancient Stannary, stannary town. It was an important trading centre for locally mined tin, and a seaport before the River Plym silted up and trade moved down riv ...

. *Elizabeth Courtenay (died before 1509) married Sir Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (died 1509) who in 1485 was created

Earl of Devon Earl of Devon is a title that has been created several times in the Peerage of England. It was possessed first (after the Norman Conquest of 1066) by the Redvers family (''alias'' de Reviers, Revieres, etc.), and later by the Courtenay famil ...

by King Henry VII following the extinction of the ancient line of his cousins the Courtenay Earls of Devon in 1471, after the three Courtenay brothers, each successively Earl of Devon, were killed or executed during the

Wars of the Roses The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought over control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fo ...

: Thomas Courtenay, 6th Earl of Devon (died 1461), Henry (died 1466), deemed by many sources to have inherited the earldom ''de jure'', and John Courtenay, 15th Earl of Devon (died 1471), killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Edward Courtenay was the son of Sir Hugh Courtenay (c.1427–6 May 1471) of

Boconnoc Boconnoc () is a civil parishes in England, civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, approximately east of the town of Lostwithiel. According to the UK census 2011, 2011 census the parish had a population of 96. The parish is rural ...

, Cornwall, son of Sir Hugh Courtenay (aft 1358–5 or 6 March 1425) of Haccombe, Devon, younger brother of Edward de Courtenay, 3rd/11th Earl of Devon (d. 1419). *Margaret Courtenay, married Sir John Champernoun (died 1503) of Dartington. A daughter of this marriage was probably

Kat Ashley Katherine Ashley (née Champernowne; – 18 July 1565), also known as Kat Ashley or Astley, was the first close friend, governess, and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Sh ...

(''circa'' 1502–1565) (''alias'' Astley, née Katherine Champernowne), governess to Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...

=John I Courtenay (1466–27 March 1510)

John I Courtenay (1466–27 March 1510) (eldest son), married Joan Brett, the sister of Robert Brett (died 1540), lord of the manor of Pilland in the parish of Pilton and the last steward of Pilton Priory who in 1536 following its dissolution purchased the Prior's House (now called "Bull House") next to Pilton Church. Joan married secondly (after 1510), as his second wife, Sir John Chichester (died 1537) of

Raleigh Raleigh ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, second-most populous city in the state (after Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte) ...

in the parish of Pilton, and from her were descended the cadet branch of the Chichester family of Arlington. The Brett family was from Whitestaunton in Somerset and had married the heiress of Pilland late in the 15th. century. The family is today represented by

Viscount Esher Viscount Esher, of Esher in the County of Surrey, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 11 November 1897 for the prominent lawyer and judge William Brett, 1st Viscount Esher, William Brett, 1st Baron Esher, upon his r ...

. The arms of Brett are: ''Or, a lion rampant between six crosses crosslet fitchy gules''. John Courtenay is stated by John Stowe to have fought for King Edward IV at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. John's uncle was

Peter Courtenay Peter Courtenay may refer to: *Peter Courtenay (bishop) (c. 1432–1492), English bishop and politician *Sir Peter Courtenay (KG) (1346–1405), soldier and knight *Sir Peter Courtenay (died 1552), of Ugbrooke, Sheriff of Devon in 1548/9 *Peter Co ...

(1440–1492)

subsequently

Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Winchester in the Church of England. The bishop's seat (''cathedra'') is at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire. The Bishop of Winchester has always held ''ex officio'' the offic ...

. His second son by Joan Brett was John Courtenay who married Elizabeth Chichester, a daughter of James Chichester (died 1548) of Hall, Bishop's Tawton, and who founded a cadet Courtenay line which continued to live at Molland, in residence unknown, until the 18th. century, and intermarried with the senior line of Courtenay of Molland descended from his elder brother Phillip II. The

ledger stone A ledger stone or ledgerstone is an inscribed stone slab usually laid into the floor of a church to commemorate or mark the place of the burial of an important deceased person. The term "ledger" derives from the Middle English words ''lygger'', '' ...

of John I Courtenay (d.1510) survives in Molland Church, inscribed in gothic text within a ledger line as follows:
:''Orate p(ro) a(n)i(m)a Joh(anne(s) Courtenay armigeri qui obiit xxvii die Marciii Anno d(omini) mcccccx cui(us) a(n)i(ma)e p(ro)p(i)cietur Deus''. ("Pray for the soul of John Courtenay, esquire, who died on the 27th day of March in the year of The Lord 1510 to whose soul may God be favorably inclined"). In the centre of the slab are incised the letters ''IHS'', ("JH(ESU)S")

=Philip II Courtenay (died 1548)

= Philip II Courtenay (died 1548) of Molland, (eldest son) married Alice Matthew of Dodbrook. One of his daughters, Dorothy, married Anthony Culme "of Tiverton", of unknown relationship to the Culme family of Molland-Champson which acquired Canonsleigh Abbey near Tiverton after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

=Robert Courtenay (died 1583)

= Robert Courtenay (died 1583), (eldest son and heir), married three times, firstly to Dorothy Pollard (died 1560), daughter of Sir Hugh I Pollard (fl.1535,1545),

lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power (social and political), power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the Peerage o ...

of the

manor of King's Nympton The Manor of King's Nympton was a Manorialism, manor largely co-terminous with the parish of King's Nympton in Devon, England. Descent of the manor At the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, the whole manor of ''Nimetone'', in the Hundred (county ...

, Sheriff of Devon in 1535/6 and Recorder of Barnstaple in 1545. He married secondly Joan Coles and thirdly in 1583 to Joan Fortescue, daughter of Lewis Fortescue of Fallapit.

=Philip III Courtenay (1547–1611)

= Philip III Courtenay (1547–1611) (son by first wife Dorothy Pollard), married Joane Boyes (died 1586), daughter of John Boyes of Kent. One of their daughters, Lydia, married Richard Culme in Molland Church. Their daughter Elizabeth Courtenay (died 1624) married in 1600 to the Hollander Peter Muden, a doctor of medicine, of

Butterleigh Butterleigh is a village and civil parish in Mid Devon, England situated about three miles south east of Tiverton, Devon, Tiverton. The village includes a public house, village hall, award-winning blacksmith and is famous for its harvest home. ...

, three miles south-east of Tiverton. Muden reconstructed Butterleigh parish church and later erected in it a mural monument to his wife which included a female effigy between two children with verse, of which only one fragment survives, a small alabaster statue of a kneeling man.

=Humphrey Courtenay (1568–1634)

= Humphrey Courtenay (1568–1634), (eldest son), married Jane Mohun, daughter of Sir William Mohun of Hall. The marriage was without progeny. She survived her husband and remarried Sir John Specot of Thornbury.

=Charles Courtenay (died 1612)

= Charles Courtenay (died 1612) (brother), married in 1601 to Ann Coles, daughter of John Coles of Barken.

=John II Courtenay (d.1660/1)

= John II Courtenay (d.1660/1) (son), married Margaret Wyndham, daughter of Sir Sir John Wyndham (1558–1645) of Orchard Wyndham in Somerset. His monument is situated in Molland Church on the north wall of the north aisle and is inscribed thus:
:"To the memory of ye Right Worshipfull John Courtenay of West Molland, Esq'r (He married Margarite the daughter of Sir John Windham of Orchard Windham in the county of Somerset, Knight, by whom he had two sons and four daughters, viz John, James, Katherine, Elizabeth, Margarite & Grace) He departed this life the 26th day of February Anno Dom(ini) 1660. To the memory also of the Right Worshipfull John Courtenay Esq'r son of the above named John Courtenay. He departed this life the 24th day of April Anno Dom(ini) 1684". On a roundel under:

To the memory of Margarite ye wife of ye above named John Courtenay & daughter of Sir John Windham of Orchard Windham by the Lady Johan his wife who was daughter of Sir Henry Portman of Orchard Portman in ye county of Somerset, Knight. Shee departed this life the first day of October 1684

John II Courtenay was a royalist during the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

and his estates were sequestered and he was fined heavily by the victorious parliamentarians in 1647 for his delinquency as the following resolution of the

House of Commons of England The House of Commons of England was the lower house of the Parliament of England (which Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542, incorporated Wales) from its development in the 14th century to the union of England and Scotland in 1707, when it was re ...

dated 21 September 1647 records:

Resolved, etc., that this House doth accept of the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds, for a fine, for the delinquency of John Courtney, of Molland in the County of Devon, Esquire: his offence is, that he assisted the forces raised against the Parliament: he rendered before December 1645: his estate, in old rents, in fee, per annum, sixty-eight pounds eleven shillings and fourpence; in
demesne A demesne ( ) or domain was all the land retained and managed by a lord of the manor under the feudal system for his own use, occupation, or support. This distinguished it from land subinfeudation, sub-enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants. ...
, in fee, per annum, one hundred and thirty-seven pounds seven shillings and fourpence; in personal estate, eight hundred pounds: out of which issues thirteen pounds six shillings and eightpence for one life: which leaves the fine, at a tenth, seven hundred and fifty pounds ... An ordinance for granting a pardon unto John Courtney of Molland, in the County of Devon, Esquire, for his delinquency, and for taking off the sequestration of his estate, was this day read; and, upon the question, passed; and ordered to be sent to the Lords for their concurrence

His younger children included Catherine Courtenay (1632–1671), first wife of John Moore (1636-1700) of Upcott, Cheriton Fitzpaine and James Courtenay (died 1683) of Meshaw who has a large and ornate mural monument in the church there. James was however buried at Molland, and is featured in two important and interesting monuments in Molland Church. These relate to his second wife Elizabeth Lynn (died 1700), with whom he had a "passionate" relationship and who had a very interesting burial arrangement and was responsible for the erection of several monuments in the churches of Molland and Meshaw and Swimbridge.

James Courtenay (d. 1683) of Meshaw

James Courtenay (d.1683), the second son of John II Courtenay (d.1660/1), died at his residence in Meshaw in 1683, in which parish church there exists a large mural monument to his memory. He was however buried in Molland Church in the grave of his first wife Susanna Sandford, whose slate tombstone is in the floor of the north aisle. In this same grave is also buried James's second wife Elizabeth Lynn (died 1700), who married James as her second husband and who erected the Meshaw monument. Elizabeth married thirdly Philip Shapcott of Shapcott in the parish of Knowstone (which latter manor was owned by the Courtenay family of Molland), as her slate mural monument on the east wall of the north aisle of Molland Church attests. In the church of Meshaw is a mural monument with the following wording:

To the memory of James Courtnay'' (sic) ''Esq.r. 2d son of John Courtnay of Molland in this county, Esq.r. who died at Meshaw House the 27th of March 1683 & was buried among his ancestors in Molland Church in ye grave of his first wife Susanna ye daughter of Henry Sandford of Ninehead Flory in ye county of Somers.t, Esq.r. His 2d wife & relict (being also relict of Lewis Rosier of Swymbridge in this county, Gent.) was Elizabeth daughter of Will. Lynn Esq.r of Southwicke in Northha.ton.re who to ye lasting memory of her Lord did this too slender monument afford, for in her judgement she could scarce approve so mean an offering for so great a love. Were it as great and lasting too as she could wish ye me(m)ory of his love should be, this marble would out live eternity.

Susanna Sandford was the daughter of Henry Sandford (died 1644) of Nynehead Court, Somerset (whose gravestone exists in the chancel floor of Nynehead Church), by Mary Ashford, heiress of

Burlescombe Burlescombe (, ) is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England. The parish is surrounded, clockwise from the north, by the parishes of Holcombe Rogus, Culmstock, Uffculme, Halberton and Sampford Peverell. According to ...

, Devon. The originator of this monument at Meshaw was James Courtenay's second wife Elizabeth Lynn (died 1700), daughter of William Lynn of Southwick Hall, 11 miles SW of

Peterborough Peterborough ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in the City of Peterborough district in the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire, England. The city is north of London, on the River Nene. A ...

, which family resided there between 1442 and 1840. Elizabeth had married James Courtenay as her second husband, having first married Lewis Rosier (died 1676) of Swimbridge, whose monument can be seen in St James's Church, Swimbridge. After James's death she married thirdly Philip Shapcote of Knowstone. Elizabeth was buried, according to her wishes, in the same tomb in Molland Church as her second husband James Courtenay, who had already been buried therein together with his first wife Susanna Sandford. This is made clear by her mural memorial tablet of stone covered with slate-coloured gesso in Molland Church on the east wall of the north aisle which reads as follows:

To ye memory of Mrs Shapcote ye wife of Philip Shapcote of Knowstone Esq. who was second wife & relict of James Courtenay Esq. and now lyes in this isle interr(ed) in ye same grave with him according to his passionate desires & her pro(mise) to him in testimony of their mutual love. Obiit 12.o Nov. 1700.

On the base of the tablet are engraved the arms of Shapcote ''Sable, 3 dovecotes argent'' impaling Lynn ''Argent, a demi-lion gules within a bordure bezantee'' The crest over the escutcheon is here a demi-lion rampant. The crest of Lynn is given in Burke's General Armory as: ''A lion's head erased'' (p. 633). The crest of Shapcote is there given as : ''A goat's head erased''(p. 916)

=John III Courtenay (died 1684)

= John Courtenay (1630–1684), (eldest son) married Mary Stucley, daughter of John Stucley of Affeton Castle, Devon, by his wife Elizabeth Coode.

=John IV Courtenay (died 1724)

John Courtenay (died 1724), (eldest surviving son and heir of John Courtenay (died 1684)), married Amy Clifford, third daughter of Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, (died 1673) of Ugbrooke Park,

Chudleigh Chudleigh () is an ancient wool town located within the Teignbridge District Council area of Devon, England; it is sited between Newton Abbot and Exeter. The electoral ward with the same name had a population of 5,919 at the 2021 United Kingdo ...

, Lord Treasurer of England. His first two sons died as minors, John the eldest died as an infant in 1682, and the second, James, died unmarried in 1703, aged 19. In 1703 he purchased the manor of Molland-Champson from Sir Edward Hungerford (died 1711), husband of Jane Culme (1637–1674), sister and heiress of Richard II Culme (1635–1658/9). His heir was his 3rd son John Courtenay (1687–1732). His monument in Molland Church is inscribed as follows:

Here lyeth the body of John Courtenay of West Molland Esq.r. who died the 14th of Sep.ber 1724 aged 65; married Amy the 3d. daughter of the Right Hon.ble Thomas Lord Clifford Lord Treasu.r. of England in the time of King Charles ye second; she died ''An. Dom.'' 1693 aged 33 by whom he had issue six sons and three daughters; four of them are deceased; John the first born, James, Hugh and Charles who are all buryed here. Tis the request of John Courtenay Esq.r. who erected this monument ye neither his heirs or excequetors disturb the ashes of his honour'd father & mother.

On a roundel below:

Underneath lieth interr'd the body of George Courtenay, Gent. the second surviving son of the abovesaid Courtenay Esq. who dep.d. this life June 17, 1731 aged 30.

George married Mary Chichester, 3rd daughter of Sir Arthur Chichester, Baronet, of Youlston Park.

=John V Courtenay (died 1732)

= John V Courtenay (1687–1732) (3rd and eldest surviving son), married Margaret Giffard (died 1743), daughter and sole heiress of John Giffard (1667/8-1704) of Brightley in the parish of Chittlehampton and lord of the manor of Chittlehampton. The marriage was without progeny, and thus John V was the last male of the Courtenays of Molland. His heir was his sister Mary Courtenay (1687-1747), the first wife of William Paston (1701–1769) of Horton Court in Gloucestershire, who married secondly in 1751 Mary Chichester, his widow's sister's sister-in-law. On the east wall to the north of the chancel is situated a mural monument to John V Courtenay (died 1732), inscribed as follows:

Underneath lyes interr'd the body of the Honourable John Courtenay Esq. who departed this life on the eleventh day of December 1732 aged 44. This monument was erected at the appointment of the Honourable Margaret Courtenay, relict of the said John Courtenay Esq. daughter and sole heiress to John Giffard late of Brightley in this county, Esq. "As good, as great, but living amongst sinners was translated"
Wisdom Wisdom, also known as sapience, is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life’s complexities. It is often associated with insight, discernment, and ethics in decision-making. Throughout history, wisdom ha ...
4th chap'r. Underneath and on the left hand of the abovesaid Jn. Courtenay Esq. are reposited the remains of Margaret (his late wife & widow) who departed this life August the 30th 1743.

The other surviving sister of John Courtenay (died 1732) was Elizabeth Courtenay (1693–1763), who married, as his first wife, John Chichester (1707–1783) of Arlington Court. The marriage was without progeny and he married again after her death. She inherited a moiety of her brother's estate.

Courtenay arms at West Molland

A heraldic achievement is sculpted on the north facade of West Molland Barton, above the front door. On a scroll below an escutcheon couché bearing ''three roundels a label of three points in chief each point charged with three roundels'' is the following legend in Roman capitals: “This is the armes of Hugh Courtny sometimes Earle of Devon who was grandfather unto Sr. Phillip Courtny of Mol.nd., knight” (

sic The Latin adverb ''sic'' (; ''thus'', ''so'', and ''in this manner'') inserted after a quotation indicates that the quoted matter has been transcribed or translated as found in the source text, including erroneous, archaic, or unusual spelling ...

). The tomb and effigies of the Earl and his wife Margaret Bohun, heiress of Powderham, can be seen in Exeter Cathedral. Shown as supporters are:

dexter Dexter may refer to: People * Dexter (given name) * Dexter (surname) * Dexter (singer), Brazilian rapper Marcos Fernandes de Omena (born 1973) * Famous Dex, also known as Dexter, American rapper Dexter Tiewon Gore Jr. (born 1993) Places United ...

, the Bohun swan, sinister the boar of Courtenay. The crest of Courtenay is generally given as: ''out of a ducal coronet or, a plume of seven ostrich feathers four and three argent''. The crest at West Molland shows 10 feathers, three, four, three. The second crest of the Courtenay Earls of Devon is: ''A dolphin embowed proper'', which may be seen here behind the escutcheon.

Paston

Mary Courtenay (bapt.1/2/1687, died 1747), married in 1725 William Paston (died 1769) of Horton Court near

Chipping Sodbury Chipping Sodbury is a market town and civil parish in the unitary authority area of South Gloucestershire, in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It is situated 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Bristol and directly east of Yate. The town ...

, Gloucestershire. Mary Courtenay was said by the Antiquary Thomas Hearne (died 1735) to have been "a lady of great understanding and virtue". There is a monument to William Paston (died 1769) in Horton Church, where both he and his wife Mary Courtenay were buried. Their daughter Anne Maria Paston (born at Horton 22 January 1728), who was also a co-heiress of Thomas Arundell, 4th Baron Arundell of Wardour (1633–1712), married Sir George Throckmorton (1721–1767), only son of Sir Robert Throckmorton, 4th Baronet (died 1791), whom he predeceased. Molland manor thus passed into the Throckmorton family.

Throckmorton

Anne Maria Paston, heiress of Molland, married George Throckmorton (1721–1767), who did not live long enough to inherit the baronetcy from his own father, and was the mother of three Throckmorton baronets, none of whom produced surviving male progeny: * Sir John Courtenay Throckmorton, 5th Baronet (1754–1819), of Coughton Court, Warwickshire. Born at Weston Underwood in Buckinghamshire. * Sir George Courtenay Throckmorton, 6th Baronet (1754–1826), of Weston Underwood in Buckinghamshire, younger brother, who in 1792 assumed the surname "Courtenay" in lieu of his patronymic on inheriting Molland through his mother. Died without progeny. He chose not to reside at West Molland Barton, the ancient manor house of the Courtenays, and in 1807 he leased it to Rev. William Quartly, (1762-1816) one of that family famous for developing Red Devon Cattle at Molland, 3rd son of James Quartly (1720-1793) who having obtained the lease of Champson, (adjacent) had started to breed Devon Cattle there in 1776. in 1850 West Molland and Champson manor houses and estates were occupied respectively by William's nephews, the brothers James and John Quartly, "who are noted for their fine breed of North Devon cattle, for which they have obtained many prizes" (White's Devonshire Directory, 1850). * Sir Charles Throckmorton, 7th Baronet (1757–1840), younger brother. He discontinued the surname of Courtenay adopted by his brother. * Sir Robert George Throckmorton, 8th Baronet (1800–1862), nephew, son of William Throckmorton (1762–1819), youngest brother of the 7th Baronet. * Sir Nicholas William George Throckmorton, 9th Baronet (1838–1919) * Sir Richard Charles Acton Throckmorton, 10th Baronet (1839–1927) * Sir Robert George Maxwell Throckmorton, 11th Baronet (1908–1989), grandson of the 10th baronet. * Rev. Sir Anthony John Benedict Throckmorton, 12th Baronet (1916–1994), first cousin, a Roman Catholic priest. On his death unmarried and without progeny the title became extinct.

d'Abreu

(Elizabeth) Clare d'Abreu (1935–2017), ("Mrs McLaren-Throckmorton") eldest niece of 11th Baronet and heir to the estates of the 12th Baronet. She was the eldest of three daughters of the prominent surgeon Professor Alphonsus Ligouri d'Abreu, Lt. Col.

Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army De ...

, OBE, MB, CBE, FRCS, by his wife Elizabeth Ursula Arienwen Throckmorton (1906- ), sister of the 11th Baronet. She was a barrister specialising in European Community Law with a particular interest in competition law. She served on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and on the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association (FIMBRA). She relinquished her non-executive directorship of the Birmingham Royal Ballet Trust Company. She was a non-executive director of Severn Trent Water. In 1958 she married Alan George Tritton, CBE, DL, of Lyons Hall, Great Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex, and of Flood St, Chelsea, London, a director of Barclays Bank, High Sheriff of Essex 1992, CBE June 1999 for services to Anglo-Indial relations & preservation of the cultural heritage. By her first husband she had progeny but they were divorced in 1970. She married secondly John Andrew McLaren (1932–2007), and later changed her surname to McLaren-Throckmorton. Although she has two sons she left Molland to her daughter and eldest child Christina Margaret Tritton.

Tritton

Christina Margaret Tritton (b.1960), ("Mrs Williams"), daughter and eldest child, of Gourte Farm, Molland, the owner of Molland Estate in 2018. In 1984 she married Rupert Birch, by whom she had a son Magnus Courtenay Birch (born 1987). She married secondly in 1993 Adam Benedict Nicholas Williams (b.1959), son of the diplomat Sir Anthony Williams (b.1923) and Hedwig, Countess von Neipperg, by whom she had further progeny. She is a garden designer who trained at the English Gardening School in London. At the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show won Gold Medal and Best in Category for "Urban Courtyard". In 2015 she won The Exmoor Society's Samuel Foss Conservation Award for having established a five-year project called "Grazing the Moor" to monitor the impact of changes to the grazing regime on Molland Moor, including the introduction of winter grazing by cattle on the moor. The hope is that, through the experiment, winter grazing will begin a long-awaited fight-back against the explosion of gorse, bracken and Molinia grass that is threatening the moor’s character". Since 2004 she has been a director of the Badgworthy Land Company, which controls hunting rights on Exmoor.

Molland-Champson

Domesday Book, Molland-Champson

The text of the Exeter

of 1086, under the heading: "Land of the Bishop of Coutances (i.e.

) in Devrescira" is as follows (English translation):

The bishop has a manor called "Mollanda" which Ulwena held TRE and it paid geld for ½ hide. This 4 ploughs can till. Drogo holds it of the bishop. Thereof Drogo has 1 virgate and 1 plough in demesne and the villeins 1 virgate and 1 plough. There Drogo has 3 villeins, 4 bordars, 2 serfs, 8 beasts, 10 swine, 40 sheep, 30 acres of woodland and 1 ½ acres of meadow. Worth 25s. And it was worth the same when the bishop received it.

de Champeaus

The earliest recorded tenant of Molland-Champson, to which estate it gave its name, was the family of de Champeaux, Latinized to ''de Campellis'' ("from the little fields"), ''alias'' de Champeaus or de Campell. "Robert de Chaumpians" was a witness to a donation made in the Devon County Court on 23 November 1192 by Martin Oisun to Martin de Fissacre. In the deed dated 28 January 1196 which solved the dispute between the de Tracy and Braose families, both heirs to the feudal barony of Barnstaple, the subsidiary manors of the barony were split between the two, and listed. One of the manors which went to Oliver de Tracy, the son of Henry de Tracy, was "Loxbeare", which was then described as held by William ''de Champels'' for the service of one

knight's fee In feudal Anglo-Norman England and Ireland, a knight's fee was a unit measure of land deemed sufficient to support a knight. It would not only provide sustenance for himself, his family, and servants, but also the means to furnish himself and h ...

. In 1202 a law-suit is recorded in the Devon Feet of Fines in which Oliver de Tracy, feudal baron of Barnstaple, demanded feudal service of seven knights from ''William de Champeaus'' in respect of the following manors held by him from the barony: *Bonlege ( Bondleigh) *Stodleg ( Stoodleigh) *Modland (Molland-Champson) *Aiwis (Huish Beaupel, Instow) *Hamtoneford (Handsford, Ashreigney) *Bettenden ( Bittadon) *Anestinges (Anstey Money in West Anstey) *Lockesbere ( Loxbeare) *Pedehill (Peadhill, Tiverton) William replied that under the terms of his feudal tenure he owed his

overlord An overlord in the English feudal system was a lord of a manor who had subinfeudated a particular manor, estate or fee, to a tenant. The tenant thenceforth owed to the overlord one of a variety of services, usually military service or ...

de Tracy the service of only four knights. A further legal suit heard before the Justices Itinerant of King Henry III at Exeter on 24 April 1219 is recorded between John Malherbe and Sibilla his wife, and widow of Nicholas de Champellis, against William ''de Champellis''; She claimed as part of her customary dower (comprising 1/3 of her husband's lands) the township of "Harewde" (West Horwood) and "Moulande". William paid her 4 marks of silver to settle her claim and retained possession of the lands. A later legal case is recorded, heard before the Justices Itinerant at

Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of symbols, often specifically those of a written language, by means of Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifacete ...

on 5 July 1248. Robert ''de Champeaus'' had granted by gift a moiety of the manor of "Stodlegh" (East Stoodleigh) to Robert FitzPain under the tenure of grand sergeanty comprising the payment of one pair of white gloves or 1 penny due annually on the feast of St Michael, and also of performing the overseas military service which was due by the holder of the manor to the king. The dispute was settled by payment of 100 shillings sterling by FitzPain to de Champeaus. The 1285 landholdings of Geoffrey de Camville (died 1308), ''

'' feudal baron of Barnstaple included under the heading "

of South Molton: "Champeleston, 1/2 a

'' in capite''. The name of his tenant was not given. Robert de Champeaux (died 1325), was Abbot of Tavistock, but it is not known if he was related to the Molland family.

de Whiteby

In 1326 it was held as one

from the feudal barony of Barnstaple, the lord of which was William II FitzMartin, who died '' sine prole'' in 1326. His

inquisition post mortem An Inquisition post mortem (abbreviated to Inq.p.m. or i.p.m., and formerly known as an escheat) (Latin, meaning "(inquisition) after death") is an English medieval or early modern record of the death, estate and heir of one of the king's tenants-i ...

lists all his land-holdings including under the section "

Fees A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for rights or services. Fees usually allow for overhead (business), overhead, wages, costs, and Profit (accounting), markup. Traditionally, professionals in the United Kingdom (and previously the Repub ...

pertaining to the barony of Barnstaple": ''Mollond Champens'' 1 fee held by John de Whiteby".

Culme

The small manor of Molland-Champson was acquired at some time before 1514 by the Culme family (or "Columb", "Culem", "Colyn", "Culine" etc.), of

Winkleigh Winkleigh is a civil parish and small village in Devon, England. It is part of the local government area of Torridge District Council. The population of the parish at the 2011 census was 1,305, compared to 1,079 in 1901. The population of the el ...

, but in 1703 was acquired from their heir by the Courtenays of Molland-Bottreaux, who thus unified the manor. According to Risdon the family may have derived its name from some ancient landholding in the area of the River Culm. The family acquired Canonsleigh Abbey in

parish, Devon, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, and also then acquired the

of Molland and Knowstone churches from Hartland Abbey, which had received the same by the gift of de Botreaux in the 12th century. Canons Leigh Barton (or "Canonsleigh") was in the 16th. and 17th. centuries a residence of the family as well as Great Champson (or "Chamston"), the manor house of Molland-Champson manor. The family is generally said to have died out in the male line on the death of Richard II Culme (1635–1658/9) in 1658, although the Rev. John Culme (died 1691), vicar of the united parishes of Knowstone-cum-Molland, of which the Culme family held the

, died later in 1691, to whom a mural monument exists in Knowstone church in the chancel to the south of the altar, and the text of whose funeral sermon has survived in records. The Heralds' Visitations of Devon give the descent as follows:

=Hugh I Culme

= Hugh I Culme, of Winkleigh, Escheator of Devon in 1505. He is recorded on the Pardon Roll of King Henry VIII during the years 1509–1514 as "Hugh Culme of South Molton and Molland Champiaux". He was the son of John II Culme of Winkleigh who was himself the son of John I Culme of Winkleigh, Sergeant at Law.

=John III Culme (died 1526)

John III Culme (died 1526), MP for Barnstaple in 1512.Hawkyard, A. D. K.
CULME (COLYN, CULINE), John (by 1485-1512/26), of Barnstaple, Devon
'. Via The History of Parliament. The Visitations of Devon gives his father as Hugh Culme, husband of Alice Tracey (daughter of William Tracey of Gloucester), whilst Hawkyard (1982) gives his father as John Culme husband of Avys. John III Culme married Alice Walter, the daughter and heiress of John Walter in the parish of Abbotsham, near

Bideford Bideford ( ) is a historic port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, South West England. It is the main town of the Torridge District, Torridge Districts of England, local government district. Toponymy In ancient records Bi ...

, by his wife Alice Collacot, daughter and heiress of John Collacot of Collacot in the parish of

. She remarried secondly to Thomas Westcott of Raddon.

=Hugh II Culme (died 1545)

= Hugh II Culme (died 1545) (son) was a minor at the death of his father and in 1526 was awarded in wardship to

George Rolle George Rolle (c. 1486 – 20 November 1552) of Stevenstone in the parish of St Giles in the Wood near Great Torrington in Devon, was the founder of the wealthy, influential and widespread Rolle family of Devon, who by 1842 had become the larges ...

Stevenstone Stevenstone is a former Manorialism, manor within the parish of St Giles in the Wood, near Great Torrington, North Devon. It was the chief seat of the Rolle family, one of the most influential and wealthy of Devon families, from c. 1524 un ...

. As

patron Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, art patronage refers to the support that princes, popes, and other wealthy and influential people ...

he presented an incumbent to Molland Church in 1532. He married Agnes Frye, daughter of William Frye of Yarty in the parish of Membury. She survived him and remarried to John Willoughby (1509–1558) of Efford in the parish of Shobrooke, near

Crediton Crediton is a town and civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England. It stands on the A377 road, A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, Devon, Tiverton, north w ...

, which family also became influential in the parish of Molland, holding the

, alternately with Culme. John Willoughby appointed the incumbent to Knowstone-cum-Molland in 1559(''sic''). The Molland-Champson family were descended from Sir John Willoughby, the 3rd son of John de Willoughby, 3rd Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1329–1372). In 1567 Hugh II's daughter Agnes Culme married Richard Willoughby (d.1602), her step-father's son, and bore him 11 children. In 1583 Richard Willoughby "clothier of Molland and Exeter", purchased the estate of "La Hill" (Leyhill) in Payhembury, near

Honiton Honiton () is a market town and civil parish in East Devon, situated close to the River Otter, Devon, River Otter, north east of Exeter in the county of Devon. Honiton has a population estimated at 12,154 (based on 2021 census). History The ...

. His household accounts during the years 1644-6 and some correspondence survive in the Somerset Record Office. Their eldest son was John Willoughby (died 1658) whose daughter Anne married Amias Bampfylde, the 4th son of Sir Amyas Bampfylde (died 1626) of the near-by manor of North Molton, whose effigy exists in North Molton Church. John Willoughby (died 1658) married secondly his daughter's young niece Elizabeth Bampfylde, sister of Sir John Bampfylde, 1st Baronet (c. 1610 – 1650). One of his younger sons, Nicholas Culme, had a daughter Anne Culme who was the third wife of the highly influential Sir John Doddridge (1555–1628), Justice of the King's Bench and Member of Parliament, whose second wife had been Dorothy Bampfylde, a daughter of Sir Amyas Bampfylde (died 1626). His monument with reclining effigy is situated in the

Lady Chapel A Lady chapel or lady chapel is a traditional British English, British term for a chapel dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, particularly those inside a cathedral or other large church (building), church. The chapels are also known as a Mary chape ...

Exeter Cathedral Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Exeter, Devon, in South West England. The presen ...

and displays on a

cartouche upalt=A stone face carved with coloured hieroglyphics. Two cartouches - ovoid shapes with hieroglyphics inside - are visible at the bottom., Birth and throne cartouches of Pharaoh KV17.html" ;"title="Seti I, from KV17">Seti I, from KV17 at the ...

his own arms impaled with Culme. Next to it is a separate monument with effigy of Dorothy Bampfylde.

=Hugh III Culme (died 1618)

= Hugh III Culme (died 1618) (son). In 1547 he was patron of Molland ''cum'' Knowstone Church and appointed John Husband as rector. He presented next also in 1554, appointing Walter Mugg. In 1564 he was granted

arms Arms or ARMS may refer to: *Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to: People * Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader Coat of arms or weapons *Armaments or weapons **Fi ...

William Harvey William Harvey (1 April 1578 – 3 June 1657) was an English physician who made influential contributions to anatomy and physiology. He was the first known physician to describe completely, and in detail, pulmonary and systemic circulation ...

Clarenceux King of Arms Clarenceux King of Arms, historically often spelled Clarencieux (both pronounced ), is an Officer of Arms, officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial King of Arms, kings of arms and his juri ...

: ''Azure, a chevron ermine between 3 pelicans vulning their breast or'', with a canting crest: ''On a wreath a lion leaning to a column argent'' (given alternatively as: ''A lion sejant proper supporting a corinthian column''). He married in 1568 Mary Fortescue (died 1623), a daughter of Richard Fortescue (c. 1517 – 1570) of Filleigh, head of one of the leading gentry families of Devon. In 1597 he enfeoffed Philip Courtenay of Molland with certain lands unknown, In 1610 he received

letters patent Letters patent (plurale tantum, plural form for singular and plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, President (government title), president or other head of state, generally granti ...

, for purposes unknown, from King James I. His younger son was Benjamin Culme (died 1657), BA (1602) St Alban's Hall, Oxford, Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, who died at Lydiard St John's, Wiltshire, in 1657, aged 76, having escaped from political disturbances in Ireland. His daughter Elizabeth Culme married John Morton (c. 1628 – 1699), MP.

=Richard I Culme (1569–1649)

= Richard I Culme (1569–1649) also of Canonsleigh Abbey,

, Devon (eldest son), was admitted for his law studies to the

Inner Temple The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as the Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court and is a professional association for barristers and judges. To be called to the Bar and practice as a barrister in England and Wa ...

in 1591. He was Sheriff of Devon in 1642 during the critical period leading up to the armed conflict of the

. He was appointed by King Charles I one of the 28 Commissioners of Array for Devon ordered to raise troops in the county for the

Royalist A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of gove ...

cause. In the company of his neighbour Henry Ayshford (d.1649) of Ayshford in Burlescombe he attempted to read his commission to a public gathering in his local town of Cullompton, near Canonsleigh Abbey, but was met with strong opposition from the community. On the sudden appearance on the scene in his support of Henry Bourchier, 5th Earl of Bath with a body of cavaliers, the population became greatly alarmed and started to arm and reinforce their town's defences. He married in 1596 Lydia Courtenay, daughter of Philip Courtenay of Molland Bottreaux. As

of the living he made a presentation to the rectory of Molland and Knowstone in 1626. In 1634 "Richard Culme of Cannonleigh" leased to Andrew Wood of Uplowman, Devon, yeoman, a messuage and land in "Wood" in Molland (-Champson), which farm exists today.

=Hugh IV Culme (1601–1643/4)

= Hugh IV Culme (1601–1643/4) (son), admitted for his legal education to the

in London in 1621. He married firstly Amy Ayshford (d.1630/1) daughter of his neighbour at Canonsleigh Henry Ayshford of Ayshford in the parish of Burlescombe, and secondly "Susanna" (died 1639).

=Richard II Culme (1635–1658/9)

= Richard II Culme (1635–1658/9) (son), died without progeny, the last of the senior line of Culme. His heir was his sister Jane Culme (1637–1674), who married at Burlescombe in 1666 the profligate Sir Edward Hungerford (died 1711), MP. His second sister Amy Culme (1638/9-1658) died in 1658. Hungerford was thus patron of Molland ''cum'' Knowstone church in 1672 when he appointed a certain John Culme (died 1691) as rector. and is not listed in the pedigree in the

heraldic visitation Heraldic visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms (or alternatively by heralds, or junior officers of arms, acting as the kings' deputies) throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Their purpose was to register and regulat ...

. His mural monument exists in Knowstone Church, on the south wall of the chancel.

Courtenay

In 1703 Sir Edward Hungerford sold the Culme estates inherited from his wife to John IV Courtenay (died 1724) of Molland. It was thus an extraordinary coincidence that the Courtenay family acquired both the Domesday Book manors of Molland from members of the Hungerford family. It is generally said of Hungerford that his own extravagance was his downfall, but it was claimed by others that his huge debts were inherited from his own father Anthony Hungerford and from his father-in-law Sir John Hele of Wembury, who had incurred them during the

supporting the Royalist cause. Indeed an Act of Parliament mentioning these reasons was obtained by Hungerford in 1675/6 specifically allowing him to sell the manors inherited from Hele. The acquisition of Molland Champson was initially as a year's lease as the following catalogued deed dated 8 March 1702/3 relates:

Lease for a year from John Pollexfen of Wembury, Devon, esq., Sir Edward Hungerford, knt. and others to John Courtenay of West Molland esq. of 2 messuages called Great and Little Champson in Molland, messuages called South Lishwell, East Gatcombe, Whiteleigh, North Lishwell, and Middle Champson, 3 messuages called Wood, Catts and Pipers and 2 water mills called Wade Mills, all in Molland; cottages called Vicars Cott, and messuages called Harpson and West Hole in Knowstone; a messuage called Swincombe and chief rent from a messuage called Ditchett in Rose Ash; 3 messuages in South Molton; perpetual advowson of Molland and Knowstone, and the manor of Molland Champson alias Champeaux. The great tithes of Molland and Knowstone and certain messuages (listed) excepted.

The manor of Wembury had been inherited from Hungerford's previous wife Jane Hele, sole daughter and heiress of Sir John Hele, and had been sold by Hungerford in 1686 to John Pollexfen, merchant. A draft conveyance for the same properties dated 9 March 1702/3 also exists in the Throckmorton archives. Following his purchase John Courtenay "of West Molland" immediately let out Great Champson on a 99 year lease, in September 1703, to James Quartley of Exton, Somerset, who developed there his famous breed of red Devon Cattle. After the death of John Courtenay the Quartleys eventually obtained a lease of West Molland itself, where they expanded their cattle business. John Courtenay at the same time let out on a 99 year lease "the messuage and lands" of Little Champson to John Newton of Molland, tanner, and the messuage and lands of Middle Champson he let out for 99 years to Richard Moore of Molland, yeoman.

References

Sources

*Vivian, J.L., Lt.-Col., The Visitations of the County of Devon comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895 *Rogers, W.H. Hamilton, The Antient Sepulchral Effigies and Monumental and Memorial Sculpture of Devon, Exeter, 1877, pp. 384–386, Courtenay, Molland-Bottreaux. Contains transcripts of several of the inscriptions on the Courtenay monuments in Molland Church.

External links

Throckmorton Molland Archives
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