Henry Courtenay

Marquess of Exeter, Earl of Devon

Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, 2nd Earl of Devon (1498 – ), grandson of King Edward IV, nephew of the queen consort, Elizabeth of York and a first cousin of King Henry VIII.

Week 10: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 1)

The king’s nearest male relative and a useful man for any foreign power planning to kick out Henry VIII. His wife has gone to see Elizabeth Barton.

“If I were Exeter, I wouldn’t let my wife dance attendance on some addle-witted girl who is feeding her fantasies that one day she will be queen.”

Week 14: Devil’s Spit / A Painter’s Eye

“It is hard for me to believe Henry Courtenay would betray me,” says the king. He can’t bring himself to blame his old friend, so he blames Courtenay’s wife.

Week 23: The Black Book (Part 2)

Henry Courtenay takes his seat at Cromwell’s imaginary banquet of conspirators. ‘Cromwell, my wife insisted on coming!’

Week 24: The Black Book (Part 3)

At Cromwell’s imaginary table: ‘Montague and his sainted mother. Courtenay and his blasted wife.’

Week 42: The Image of the King (Part 2/2) / Broken on the Body

August 1537. Cromwell is to be made a Garter Knight. ‘Henry Courtenay, the Marquis of Exeter, is laggard in joining in.’

Exeter leads Cromwell through the ritual.

   It is hard for Exeter to call him 'my lord'. It sticks in the Courtenay craw. Four years back, he thinks, I salvaged you and Gertrude your wife, and now the king suspects me of too much forbearance; he thinks I am trying to make friends of you people. You and Lord Montague, you are sprinting to the end of your silken rope. One more step, then see if I favour you.

Week 45: Corpus Christi (Part 2/2) / Inheritance

Henry Courtenay is arrested in November 1538 and interrogated. He denies everything. In December he is executed alongside Henry Pole.