Henry Courtenay: The Royal Cousin Caught in the Exeter Conspiracy

Henry Courtenay: The Royal Cousin Caught in the Exeter Conspiracy

We have been finding out about some of the people who were connected to Reginald Pole. Today I want to find out a little about Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, a close relative of Pole and King Henry VIII.

Image info:

Garter Knights in the Black Book of the Garter

Date: 1535

Collection: Royal Collection, Windsor Castle

Courtnay is second from the left

Henry was born around 1498, the son of William Courtenay and Catherine of York, who was a daughter of King Edward IV. This made him a grandson of Edward IV and a first cousin of Henry VIII.

He was also related to Reginald Pole. Henry’s mother, Catherine of York, and Reginald’s mother, Margaret Pole, were first cousins, making Henry and Reginald second cousins.

For many years, Henry Courtenay had a close relationship with Henry VIII. He accompanied the king to the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520, became a Knight of the Garter and in 1525 was created Marquess of Exeter.

He initially supported Henry’s policies and was even involved in proceedings against Catherine of Aragon and the trial of Anne Boleyn.

However, by the late 1530s his position had become increasingly dangerous. His wife, Gertrude, remained Catholic, while Courtenay became increasingly opposed to Thomas Cromwell and the religious changes that were taking place in England.

Most dangerously, Courtenay was in correspondence with his relative Cardinal Reginald Pole, who had become one of Henry VIII’s most outspoken opponents.

In 1538, investigations began into what became known as the Exeter Conspiracy. Courtenay and members of the Pole family were accused of being involved in a Catholic conspiracy against Henry VIII.

Whether there was actually a carefully organised plot still remains debated.

Henry was arrested in November 1538 and was found guilty of treason.

On the 9th of December 1538, Henry Courtenay was executed on Tower Hill.

He had been one of Henry VIII’s closest companions. But his royal blood, religious connections and association with Reginald Pole ultimately helped make him a target.