Okehampton Castle, Devonshire (1773)

Grose, Francis. Antiquities of England and Wales. London: S. Hooper, 1785. Vol. II. pp. 65-6.OKEHAMPTON CASTLE.This castle stands a little W. of the center of the county, and near the town of Okehampton. It was built by Baldwin de Brioni, who, as appears by Domesday-book, was in possession of it when that survey was taken. It afterwards devolved to Rich. de Rivers; and from him, went by marriage, to the Courteneys, earls of Devonshire. In that family it remained, till seized by K. Edw. IV. on account of their attachment to the house of Lancaster, in which cause Tho. de Courtney and his brother John both lost their lives:[…]Edw. granted this castle, honour and manor to Sir John Dynman, by whom they were soon after forfeited.King Hen. VII. on coming to the throne, restored to the Courteneys their ancient honours and possessions; amongst which was this castle: but in the reign of Hen. VIII. Hen. Courtney, the then possessor, being executed for a treasonable correspondence with Cardinal Pole, it once more escheated to the crown; when that king caused the castle, and a fine park thereunto belonging, to be dismantled and destroyed. He likewise imprisoned Edward, the son and heir of the late earl, who continued in confinement till released by Q. Mary; by whom he was reinstated in the rank and fortune of his ancestors. He leaving no male issue, the estate was carried by a marriage into the family of the Mohuns, barons of Mohun and Okehampton; whose male line likewise becoming extinct, by the death of the lord Mohun, killed anno 1712, by the duke of Hamilton, in a duel, the estate descended to Christopher Harris of Heynes, Esq. he having married the heiress of that family. At present it is entirely in ruins, having only part of the keep, and some fragments of high walls remaining; the solidity of which, together with their advantageous situation, and the space they occupy, clearly evince that when entire, it was both strong and extensive.[…] This view was taken anno 1768. [Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Copper l.engr

107x158mm

S008. GROSE, Francis: ANTIQUITIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.