He became the 1st Viscount Bourchier in 1446, a Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1452, and was created 1st Earl of Essex in 1461.
[3] He saw considerable military action in France and for his services was created Viscount Bourchier during the parliament of 1445–6, and elected Knight of the Garter on his third nomination in 1452.
He also became Justice in Eyre south of the Trent in 1461, holding that title until his death.
He died on 4 April 1483 and was buried at Beeleigh Abbey, although his tomb was subsequently moved to Little Easton church.
Prior to 1426, he married Isabel of Cambridge, a great-granddaughter of Edward III.
Garter stall plate
of Henry Bourchier, 1st Earl of Essex, 2nd Count of Eu (1404-1483), nominated as a
Knight of the Garter
in 1452. St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Inscribed below: "Mons. Henry Bourcheher le Count de Essex". Arms:
Quarterly
1st & 4th: Bourchier; 2nd & 3rd:
Gules billety or a fess of the last
(sometimes
a fess argent
[
1
]
) (Louvain,
feudal barons
of
Little Easton
, Essex, for the mother of the
1st Count of Eu
, Eleanor de Louvain (d.1397)). Crest:
A man's (Moor's) head in profile proper ducally crowned or with a pointed cap gules
[
2
]
The Bourchier bougets appear on the mantling
Arms of Sir Henry Bourchier, 5th Baron Bourchier, at the time of his installation into the Most Noble Order of the Garter:
Quarterly
1st & 4th:
Argent, a cross engrailed gules between four water bougets sable
(Bourchier); 2nd & 3rd:
Gules billety or, a fess of the last
(Louvain of
Little Easton
) the whole surrounded by the Garter
