Tomb of William Courtenay – Archbishop of Canterbury 1381–1396 – Canterbury Cathedral

Tomb of William Courtenay – Archbishop of Canterbury 1381–1396 – Canterbury Cathedral

William Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon and his wife Margaret – a granddaughter of Edward I.
He was said to have been born at the family’s estate at Exminster.

Courtenay was for a short time chancellor of England, becoming Archbishop of Canterbury on 30th July 1381, succeeding Simon of Sudbury.

In January 1382, he officiated at the marriage of Richard II with Anne of Bohemia, afterwards crowning the queen.

During his concluding years the archbishop appears to have upheld the papal authority in England, although not to the injury of the English Church.

Before his death on 31st July 1396, Archbishop Courtenay gave directions for his body to be buried in Exeter Cathedral, where his mother and father had been buried.

While lying on his deathbed at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone, Courtenay had a change of mind and declared he wanted to be buried in the graveyard of the nearby collegiate church.

Upon his death his body was instead conveyed to Canterbury Cathedral, where he was interred 5 days later, possibly at the direction of Richard II.

His tomb was given an honorary position to the south of Thomas Becket’s shrine, and at the feet of the Black Prince, Richard II’s father.

Courtenay’s tomb and effigy are constructed from alabaster.

The effigy depicts Courtnay dressed in his robes, with mitre and crosier.
His face is composed and hands (sadly now missing) together in prayer.

The late Archbishop’s pillow is supported by angels and at his feet is his splendid alabaster dog.

⛪ Image Credit – M.Tong.