Sir Nicholas de Loveyne (died 24 September 1375) was a major English property owner and courtier, who held a number of senior positions in the service of King Edward III.
[1] Writing at the end of the 18th century, Edward Hasted stated that Nicholas "was a descendant of the noble family of Lovaine, a younger branch of the duke of Lorraine.
Godfrey de Lovaine, having that surname from the place of his birth, possessed lands in England in right of his mother, grand daughter of king Stephen.
[6] On 12 October of the same year Nicholas obtained custody of the lands and marriage of William de Pulteney, the son and heir of Margaret's first husband.
[7] William de Pulteney died on 20 January 1366/7 and it appears from the evidence given at an inquisition post mortem held on 2 July 1367 that his mother was still alive on the latter day.
[14] It is likely, but not clear to what extent, that Nicholas was personally involved in the warfare between England and France which included the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 and the Reims campaign in 1359-60.
This was during that period when the popes resided at Avignon, those in office whilst Sir Nicholas was there being Innocent VI and Urban V. It appears from the surviving records that much of Nicholas’ work involved promoting the King's case for the appointment of particular individuals to ecclesiastical positions in cases where papal approval was required.
[21] On 19 July 1364, the King ratified an appointment for life that had been made by Queen Philippa of Nicholas de Lovaigne as constable and porter of Pevensey Castle.
[36] His will was made at Poplar four days earlier and directed that he be buried in the parish church of Penshurst or in the Abbey of St Mary of Graces.
[38] Evidently, he was buried at The Abbey of St. Mary de Graces, as a contract was entered into for Henry Lakenham, a London marbler, to construct his tomb there.