Okehampton Castle

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Okehampton Castle is a ruined moth in Okehampton, Devon (England).

The castle is of Norman origin and dates from the late 11th century. It is in the Domesday Book ( which was completed in 1086 ) mentioned as a possession of Baudouin de Meules, then one of the richest Norman lords in the west of England and Sheriff of Devon. The existing remains of the castle, especially the keep and the surrounding walls date from the 14th century.

In connection with the execution of Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, the then lord of the castle, in 1539, the castle was partly demolished. As a " romantic ruin " it was often painted later, including twice by William Turner and one by Samuel John Birch.

Today Okehampton Castle is under management of English Heritage.

Lords of Okehampton Castle

• Baudouin de Meules († 1090 ), Sheriff of Devon
• Guillaume († 1096 ), whose son
• Robert de Meules ( † after 1101), whose brother
• ...
• Mathilde d' Avranches, † 1173, daughter and heiress of Robert d' Avranches, ∞ I William de Courcy, ∞ II Robert FitzEdith, † 1172, the illegitimate son of King Henry I.
• Hawise de Courcy; ∞ Renaud de Courtenay, † 1194
• Robert of Courtenay, whose son, † 1242; ∞ Mary de Vernon, daughter of William de Redvers, 5th Earl of Devon
• John de Courtenay, whose son, † 1242; ∞ Isabel de Vere, daughter of Hugh de Vere, 4th Earl of Oxford
• Hugh de Courtenay, whose son, † 1292; Eleanor le Despenser ∞, daughter of Hugh Le Despenser, Earl of Winchester
• Hugh de Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon, whose son, † 1340
• ...
• Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, † 1539