been the ward of Charles Brandon, later 1st Duke of Suffolk, and was betrothed to him when she was only eight years old. The betrothal was broken when Brandon married Mary Tudor, sister to Henry VIII. At this time, she became ward of Catherine of York, who betrothed Elizabeth to her son, Henry Courtenay. She died soon after the marriage without children. Secondly, on 25 October 1519, he married Gertrude Blount (c.1499/1502 – 25 September 1558, a daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy. In October 1537, Lady Exeter was a courtier, serving as godmother to Princess Elizabeth and representing Princess Mary at the pre-funeral ceremonies for Queen Jane Seymour at Hampton Court Palace. She was arrested on 5 November 1538 with her husband and was attainted as his widow in July 1539, and imprisoned for several years until her attainder was reversed by Queen Mary, to whom she became a lady in waiting. She died on 25 September 1558 and was buried in Wimborne Minster in Dorset. By Gertrude Blount he had two sons: Henry Courtenay, who died young; Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (c. 1527 – 18 September 1556), eldest surviving son, who having spent 15 years incarcerated in the Tower of London was released on 3 August 1553, a few days after the accession of Queen Mary to the throne. She created him Earl of Devon on 3 September 1553. References Bibliography Alison Weir, Henry VIII (London, 1998) 1490s births 1538 deaths Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter Knights of the Garter Marquesses in the Peerage of England Members of the Privy Council of England Executed English people People executed under Henry VIII People executed by Tudor England by decapitation People executed under the Tudors for treason against England Executions at the Tower of London English politicians convicted of crimes Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber Earls of Devon