Humphrey Stafford

Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon (ca.

1439 – August 17, 1469) is a dominant magnate in southwestern England in the mid-fifteenth century, and a participant in the Wars of the Roses.

A distant relative of the earls of Stafford, Humphrey Stafford becomes the greatest landowner in the county of Dorset through fortunes of inheritance.

Later, Stafford is one of several men promoted rapidly through the nobility by King Edward IV, to fill the power vacuum left by dead or forfeit Lancastrians.

In the West Country it is particularly the forfeitures of the Lancastrian Courtenay family that benefits Stafford.

In 1469 he receives the Courtenay title of earl of Devon.

Considered an overambitious man by many, Stafford is nevertheless a capable administrator, who enjoysthe absolute confidence of the king.

Stafford holds the comital title for only three months.

In July he is sent north to quell a rebellion instigated by the discontented Earl of Warwick.

Even though he escapes the disastrous Battle of Edgecote, he is executed by a mob at Bridgwater on August17, 1469.

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