Sir Hugh de Courtenay, 4th Earl of Devon (1389 – 16 June 1422) was an English admiral and nobleman.
He was the son of Sir Edward de Courtenay and Maud de Camoys. He married Anne Talbot. They had one son, Thomas de Courtenay, 13th Earl of Devon.
Sir Hugh de Courtenay was invested as a Knight on 13 October 1399 at Henry IV's coronation. He was Captain of the fleet ordered to guard the sea between March and August 1418. He held the office of Lieutenant of the King at sea between April and November 1419. It was during a crucial period in the Hundred Years Wars shortly after the successful conclusion of the siege of Rouen. The duke of Burgundy had made deal with Count de Armagnac to ally against France. the duke of Clarence was at the gates of St Denis on 9 September 1419. The next day, the Dauphin had agreed to meet Burgundy on the bridge across the Yonne at Montereau. The confluence below the River Seine was wide and navigable on that day; Burgundy was struck down and killed. The "fateful blow" made it certain King Henry V could march in triumph into Paris with the duchy of Burgundy's help.[1]
He married his third cousin, Anne Talbot, sister of John, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford, and daughter of Richard, Lord Talbot by Ankaret, daughter of John Le Strange.
He died on 16 June 1422. An inquest was held in 1422, and probate was granted on 4 July 1423.[2]. His widow married John Botreaux by licence in 1433, and died on 16 Jan 1440/1.[3]
| Preceded by Edward de Courtenay |
Earl of Devon 1419–1422 |
Succeeded by Thomas de Courtenay |