English Aristocracy. Born Gertrude Blount she was the daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy and Elizabeth Saye. Her father served as chamberlain for Queen Catarina de Aragón. In October 1519 she became the second wife of Henry VIII's first cousin, Sir Henry Courtenay, Earl of Devon; the couple produced two sons. As a result of her marriage, she was styled Countess of Devon from October 1519, and after the death of her father-in-law in June 1525, she was styled Marchioness of Exeter. Upon the birth of the Princess Elizabeth in 1533, despite her apparently well known preference to be uninvolved, she was compelled to accept Henry VIII's invitation to serve as godmother. She carried Prince Edward at his christening in 1537. She had, however, decided views in favor of the Roman Catholic Church and her affection for the repudiated Queen Catarina, with whom she corresponded after the divorce, gave the king's ministers grounds to view her with suspicion. Early in November 1538 she, her husband, and surviving son were committed to the Tower. Courtenay was tried in Westminster Hall and evidence as to the marquess' treasonable speech was advanced; he was condemned and beheaded on Tower Hill in December 1538. She and her son were kept imprisoned, and were attainted in July 1539. The king eventually pardoned her, and she was released. Upon Queen Mary's accession to the throne, she became a lady-in-waiting; her attainder was removed, and she took part in the coronation and all court ceremonies. She died at about age 54 some five years later, two months prior to her patroness.
English Aristocracy. Born Gertrude Blount she was the daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy and Elizabeth Saye. Her father served as chamberlain for Queen Catarina de Aragón. In October 1519 she became the second wife of Henry VIII's first cousin, Sir Henry Courtenay, Earl of Devon; the couple produced two sons. As a result of her marriage, she was styled Countess of Devon from October 1519, and after the death of her father-in-law in June 1525, she was styled Marchioness of Exeter. Upon the birth of the Princess Elizabeth in 1533, despite her apparently well known preference to be uninvolved, she was compelled to accept Henry VIII's invitation to serve as godmother. She carried Prince Edward at his christening in 1537. She had, however, decided views in favor of the Roman Catholic Church and her affection for the repudiated Queen Catarina, with whom she corresponded after the divorce, gave the king's ministers grounds to view her with suspicion. Early in November 1538 she, her husband, and surviving son were committed to the Tower. Courtenay was tried in Westminster Hall and evidence as to the marquess' treasonable speech was advanced; he was condemned and beheaded on Tower Hill in December 1538. She and her son were kept imprisoned, and were attainted in July 1539. The king eventually pardoned her, and she was released. Upon Queen Mary's accession to the throne, she became a lady-in-waiting; her attainder was removed, and she took part in the coronation and all court ceremonies. She died at about age 54 some five years later, two months prior to her patroness.
Bio by: Iola
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