James Chudleigh (b. ~1331, d. 1401–1402) was an English knight, Sheriff of Devon, royal servant, nobleman and landowner. He was one of the most important noblemen below peerage rank[citation needed] in Devon in the last two decades of the 14th century. Chudleigh lived roughly 70 years during the height of the Black Death and the start of the Hundred Years' War.[citation needed]
Career
He began as a combat squire and served in this capacity for many years probably originally lacking sufficient wealth to be considered a knight. Chudleigh was called into the Scrope v Grosvenor case of 1389 in which he stated that he fought in the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, serving as a squire; he also served under John of Gaunt in Spain in his failed invasion of 1386.[1][2] His participation in the battle of Poiters under Edward Despenser, 1st Baron Despenser is confirmed by a letter of protection (TNA, C76/56, m. 31).[2] In 1368 he again traveled overseas to an unknown destination. From May 1372 to January 1373 he served at sea under Philip Courtenay, admiral of the west.[1]
After a lengthy military career Chudleigh had built up prestige, land, and power and was appointed Sheriff of Devon in 1376 as his father had served in 1335.[3][1][clarification needed]
In 1384 he was again the Sheriff of Devon.[1] Later he was part of the Earl of Devon's retinue which joined the 1387 expedition under Admiral of the west Richard Fitzalan, 4th Earl of Arundel.[1] In 1390 he was the Knight of the shire for Devon as the second knight (the first was Courtenay).[1]
Although Chudleigh derived much of his power from the Earls of Devon, he became an important royal servant and these two loyalties sometimes clashed. In 1391 he and a knight, William Esturmy, were responsible for arresting one of the Earl's retainers.[1] Chudleigh was often employed by the King to enforce royal authority in Devon, for example arbitrating Courtenay's land disputes.[1] Due to his royal service he benefitted from escheats, and was given temporary control of escheated lands on several occasions. In 1394 he was again the sheriff of Devon.[1]
A dispensation allowed his daughter Joan Chudleigh to remarry Philip Bryan son of Guy Bryan, 1st Baron Bryan in order to stop feuding that had occurred between the two fathers.[1]
Personal life
His third marriage was to Joan Champernon.[4]