William Courtenay

Who was William Courtenay?

Sir William Courtenay, Kt, was an English landowner and Member of Parliament. He was the son of Sir William Courtenay of Powderham Castle, Devon and Elizabeth Paulet, daughter to John Paulet, 2nd Marquess of Winchester. He was educated at the Middle Temple and succeeded his father in 1557. Sir William was knighted on 25 March 1576, served as High Sheriff of Devon for 1579–80 and was also involved in the Munster plantation in Ireland in the 1580s. Sir William was elected Member of Parliament for Devon in 1584, 1589 and 1601. In 1831 he was recognised as having been de jure 3rd Earl of Devon.