William Courtenay (1477–1535)

[2] William entered his inheritance on 24 November 1512, receiving possession of the family's principal seat, the manor of Powderham, on 11 September.

As a boy he was bound over with another minor ward, Richard Cornwall, to his own recognizance to remain within two miles of the walls of the City of London.

In 1513 he was appointed Keeper of the royal forest of Petherton Park in Somerset, being summoned to attend upon the King at Easter.

[5] Later Courtenay sent a servant to Cromwell, Richard Southwill, to be found a wife, for a six-month fee in lieu of debts.

Cromwell, forever scheming at court, held one of Courtenay's cousins to ransom, demanding resolution of payments.

John Pruste the former abbot of Hartland, pleaded Cromwell "as a good master", but that had not prevented Sir Thomas Arundell's ad quondam servants taking off the livestock.

Authority on three separate elections, as Sheriff of Devon made warranted arrests and execution of duty convenient for the Crown.