Biography of Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 1416-1474

Paternal Family Tree: Blount

1461 Battle of Towton

1461 Coronation of Edward IV

1472 Creation of Garter Knights

In or before 1415 [his father] Thomas Blount (age 24) and [his mother] Margaret Gresley (age 21) were married.

Around 1416 Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy was born to Thomas Blount (age 26) and Margaret Gresley (age 23).

Before 18 Oct 1424 Humphrey Stafford 6th Earl Stafford (age 22) and [his future wife] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland (age 60) and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 45). He the son of Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford and Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford (age 41). They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1442 Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 25) and Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy (age 25) were married.

In 1442 [his son] William Blount was born to Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 26) and [his wife] Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy (age 26).

Around 1450 [his son] John Blount 3rd Baron Mountjoy was born to Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 34) and [his wife] Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy (age 34) at Rock, Worcestershire.

Battle of Towton

On 29 Mar 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England (age 18) bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.

The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56), William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 45), Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).

The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy (age 35), Ralph Bigod Lord Morley (age 50), John Bigod (age 28), Robert Cromwell (age 71), Ralph Eure (age 49), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 51), John Beaumont (age 33), Thomas Dethick (age 61), Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton (age 25) and William Welles (age 51) who were killed.

Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) was killed. His son Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 12) succeeded 4th Earl of Northumberland, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland (age 3) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49) was killed. He was buried at the nearby Saxton church where his chest tomb is extant. Baron Dacre Gilsland extinct.

Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 55) was killed. His son Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 33) succeeded 7th Baron Welles.

The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 25), Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland and Andrew Trollope.

Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit.

Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (age 60), William Norreys (age 20), Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43), Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns (age 30), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12), Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby, Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 56), James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde (age 39), William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22), Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham (age 41). Cardinal John Morton (age 41) were captured.

Coronation of Edward IV

Warkworth's Chronicle 1461. 27 Jun 1461.... at the coronacyone1 of the forseyde Edwarde, he create and made dukes his two brythir, the eldere George (age 11) Duke of Clarence, and his yongere brothir Richard (age 8) Duke of Gloucetre; and the Lord Montagu (age 30)2, the Earl of Warwick (age 32)'s brothere, the Earl of Northumberlonde; and one William Stafford squiere, Lord Stafforde of Southwyke; and Sere Herbard (age 38), Lorde Herbard, and after Lorde Earl of Penbroke3; and so the seide Lorde Stafforde (age 22) was made Earl of Devynschire4; the Lorde Gray Ryffyne (age 44), Earl of Kent6; the Lorde Bourchyer (age 57), Earl of Essex; the [his future step-son] Lorde Jhon of Bokyngham (age 33), the Earl of Wyltschyre5; Sere Thomas [Walter] Blount (age 45), knyghte, Lord Mont[joy]; Sere Jhon Hawarde, Lorde Hawarde (age 36)8; William Hastynges (age 30) he made Lorde Hastynges and grete Chamberlayne; and the Lorde Ryvers; Denham squyere, Lorde Dynham; and worthy as is afore schewed; and othere of gentylmen and yomenne he made knyghtes and squyres, as they hade desserved.

Note 1. At the coronacyone. King Edward was crowned in Westminster Abbey, on the 29th of June 1461. Warkworth's first passage is both imperfect and incorrect, and would form a very bad specimen of the value of the subsequent portions of his narrative; yet we find it transferred to the Chronicle of Stowe. It must, however, be regarded rather as a memorandum of the various creations to the peerage made during Edward's reign, than as a part of the chronicle. Not even the third peerage mentioned, the Earldom of Northumberland, was conferred at the Coronation, but by patent dated 27 May 1464: and the only two Earldoms bestowed in Edward's first year (and probably at the Coronation) were, the Earldom of Essex, conferred on Henry Viscount Bourchier, Earl of Eu in Normandy, who had married the King's aunt, the Princess Isabel of York; and the Earldom of Kent, conferred on William Neville, Lord Fauconberg, one of King Edward's generals at Towton. The former creation is mentioned by Warkworth lower down in his list; the latter is omitted altogether. - J.G.N.

Note 2. The Lord Montagu. And then Kyng Edward, concidering the greate feate doon by the said Lord Montagu, made hym Earl of Northumberlond; and in July next folowyng th'Earl of Warwyk, with th'ayde of the said Earl of Northumberland, gate agayn the castell of Bamborugh, wheryn was taken Sir Raaf Gray (age 29), which said Ser Raaf was after behedid and quartred at York. Also, in this yere, the first day of May, the Kyng wedded Dame Elizabeth Gray (age 24), late wif unto the lord Gray of Groby, and doughter to the Lord Ryvers." - The London Chronicle, MS. Cotton. Vitell. A. xvi. fol. 126, ro. The MS. of the London Chronicle, from which Sir Harris Nicolas printed his edition, does not contain this passage. It is almost unnecessary to remark the chronological incorrectness of the above, but it serves to show how carelessly these slight Chronicles were compiled. Cf. MS. Add. Mus. Brit. 6113, fol. 192, rº. and MS. Cotton. Otho, B. XIV. fol. 221, ro.

Note 3. Lord Earl of Pembroke. William Lord Herbert of Chepstow, the first of the long line of Herbert Earls of Pembroke, was so created the 27th May 1468. His decapitation by the Duke of Clarence at Northampton in 1469, is noticed by Warkworth in p. 7.-J.G.N.

Note 4. Earl of Devynschire. Humphery Stafford, created Baron Stafford of Southwick by patent 24th April 1464, was advanced to the Earldom of Devon 7th May 1469; but beheaded by the commons at Bridgwater before the close of the same year, as related by Warkworth, ubi supra. - J.G.N.

Note 5. Earl of Wyltschyre. John Stafford, created Earl of Wiltshire, 5th Jan. 1470; he died in 1473.—J.G.N.

Note 6. "The Lorde Gray Ryffyne, Earl of Kent". The Earl of Kent, of the family of Neville, died without male issue, a few months after his elevation to that dignity; and it was conferred on the 30th May 1465, on Edmund Lord Grey de Ruthyn, on occasion of the Queen's coronation. He was cousin-german to Sir John Grey, of Groby, the Queen's first husband. On the same occasion the Queen's son Sir Thomas Grey (age 10) was created Marquess of Dorset; her father Richard Wydevile (age 60) lord Ryvers was advanced to the dignity of Earl Ryvers; and her brother Anthony (age 25) married to the heiress of Scales, in whose right he was summoned to Parliament as a Baron. - J.G.N.

Note 7. Sere Thomas Blount. This should be Walter, created Lord Montjoy 20th June 1465; he died in 1474.-J.G.N.

Note 8. Sere Jhon Hawarde, Lord Hawarde. John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk. This peerage dates its origin, by writ of summons to Parliament, during the short restoration of Henry VI. in 1470, a circumstance more remarkable as "evidence exists that he did not attach himself to the interest of that Prince, being constitued by Edward, in the same year, commander of his fleet." See Sir Harris Nicolas's memoir of this distinguished person (afterwards the first Duke of Norfolk) in Cartwright's History of the Rape of Bramber, p. 189.-J.G.N.

In or before 1464 [his son] William Blount (age 21) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Echingham (age 15) were married.

On 20 Jun 1465 Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 49) was created 1st Baron Mountjoy. [his wife] Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy (age 49) by marriage Baroness Mountjoy.

On 25 Nov 1467 Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 51) and Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 59) were married. She by marriage Baroness Mountjoy. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1468 John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 19) and [his step-daughter] Catherine Stafford Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 30) were married. She by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford. She the daughter of Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham and [his wife] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 59). He the son of John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 43). They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1468 [his wife] Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy (age 52) died.

On 05 Jan 1470 [his step-son] John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 42) was created 1st Earl Wiltshire. See Warkworth Note 5.

Before 07 Apr 1470 [his step-son] John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 42) and Constance Green Countess Wiltshire (age 43) were married. She by marriage Earl Wiltshire. He the son of Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham and [his wife] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 62). He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1472 [his sister-in-law] Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland (age 75) died.

1472 Creation of Garter Knights

In 1472 King Edward IV of England (age 29) appointed new Garter Knights given the large number of vacant positions as a result of the recent Warwick rebellion:

203rd John Mowbray 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 27).

204th [his step-son] John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 44).

205th Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 40).

206th Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 56).

207th John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 47).

208th John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 29).

In Apr 1472 [his step-daughter] Anne Stafford Baroness Cobham Sternborough (age 26) died. She was buried at Lingfield, Kent.

On 08 May 1473 [his step-son] John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 45) died. His son Edward Stafford 2nd Earl Wiltshire (age 3) succeeded 2nd Earl Wiltshire.

On 01 Aug 1474 Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 58) died. His grandson [his grandson] Edward Blount 2nd Baron Mountjoy (age 10) succeeded 2nd Baron Mountjoy.

On 20 Sep 1480 [his former wife] Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham (age 72) died.

[his daughter] Anne Blount was born to Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy and Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy.

[his son] Edward Blount was born to Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy and Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy.

[his son] James Blount was born to Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy and Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy.

Royal Ancestors of Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 1416-1474

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 19 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Royal Descendants of Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 1416-1474

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 1416-1474

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Blount

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Blount

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Odingsells

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Blount

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Beauchamp

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Maudit

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Blount

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joanna Sodington

GrandFather: Walter Blount 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Somerset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cicely Vivonne Forz Baroness Beauchamp 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Somerset 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Cheduit Baroness Beauchamp Somerset

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John

Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John 1st Baron St John of Basing

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Fitzpiers

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret St John Baroness Beauchamp Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Courtenay Baroness St John of Basing 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Despencer Baroness Okehampton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Father: Thomas Blount 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Diego Gómez Toledo

GrandMother: Sancha Toledo

Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandFather: Thomas Gresley

Mother: Margaret Gresley