Okehampton Castle is a medieval motte and bailey castle in Devon, England. It was built between 1068 and 1086 by Baldwin FitzGilbert following a revolt in Devon against Norman rule, and formed the centre of the Honour of Okehampton, guarding a crossing point across the West Okement River. It continued in use as a fortification until the late 13th century, when its owners, the de Courtenays, became the Earls of Devon. With their new wealth, they redeveloped the castle as a luxurious hunting lodge, building a new deer park that stretched out south from the castle, and constructing fashionable lodgings that exploited the views across the landscape. The de Courtenays prospered and the castle was further expanded to accommodate their growing household.
Keep of Okehampton Castle
The bailey, seen from the motte, showing (l to r) the kitchens, buttery and Great Hall, and the eastern lodgings, chapel and priest's lodgings
The castle, depicted by Frederick Widgery in 1913
Keep on the motte, showing the remains of the turret
Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter
Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, 2nd Earl of Devon, KG, PC, feudal baron of Okehampton, feudal baron of Plympton, of Tiverton Castle, Okehampton Castle and Colcombe Castle all in Devon, was a grandson of King Edward IV, nephew of the queen consort, Elizabeth of York and a first cousin of King Henry VIII. Henry Courtenay was a close friend of Henry VIII, having "been brought up of a child with his grace in his chamber".
Henry Courtenay, KG, shown 2nd from left wearing a mantle displaying his arms, detail from procession of Garter Knights in the Black Book of the Garter, c.1535, Royal Collection, Windsor
Pair of heraldic devices either of Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter (1498–1539), KG, or of his grandfather Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (died 1509), KG, north and south sides of top of chancel arch, St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Showing the arms of Courtenay: Or, three torteaux circumscribed by the Garter, with angel supporters. Above is the heraldic badge of the Courtenay falcon and faggot and on top of each column is shown a Courtenay boar. The only surviving Courtenay monument within the church situated next to their historic seat of
Within a Garter inscribed (honi soit) qui mal y pense an escutcheon of the arms either of Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter (1498–1539), KG, or of his grandfather Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (died 1509), KG: Or, three torteaux, one of a pair facing each other on tops of chancel arch, Tiverton Church, Devon
