|
Henry Bourchier, 1st Earl of Essex
|
Henry Bourchier, 5th Baron Bourchier, 1st Viscount Bourchier, 1st Earl of Essex (c. 1404/c. 1406 – 4 April 1483), was the eldest son of William Bourchier and Anne Plantagenet. His mother was a granddaughter of Edward III and, through her mother, great-great-granddaughter of Edward I. He was thus a great-grandson of Edward III.
He inherited the title of Lord (or Baron) Bourchier from his cousin Elizabeth on her death in 1433, became 1st Viscount Bourchier in 1446, a Knight of the Garter in 1452, and was finally created Earl of Essex in 1461.
He was Lord High Treasurer from 29 May 1455 - 5 October 1456, 28 July 1460 - 14 April 1462, and 22 April 1471 - 4 April 1483. He also became Justice in Eyre south of the Trent in 1461, holding that title till his death.
Marriage and issue
Prior to 1426, he married Isabel Plantagenet, another great-grandchild of Edward III (through her father - she was also Edward's great-great-great granddaughter, through her mother). She was elder sister to Richard Plantagenet, and aunt to Richard's two sons, the future Edward IV and Richard III.
Henry and Isabel were parents to at least eleven children.
On his death she did not remarry and died more than a year later.
|
