William de Bohun Biography

Birth of William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton. Son of Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Elizabeth of Rhuddlan. His maternal grandparents were Edward I of England and his first Queen consort Eleanor of Castile

William de Bohun assisted at the arrest of Roger Mortimer in 1330, allowing Edward III to take power

Marries Elizabeth de Badlesmere

created Earl of Northampton, one of the six earls created by Edward III to renew the ranks of the higher nobility

Present at the English victory in the Battle of Sluys

Edward sent exrra knights and archers under the command of William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton.

On Northamptons arrival the French appear to have fled without bothering to engage the smaller English force and the siege of Brest was relieved.

When Northampton landed the remnants of Maunys force were besieged at Brest by a large French army under the command of Charles of Blois and a force of Genoese ships.

From Brest, Northampton moved inland and there are few details of what happened during this journey but eventually he reached Morlaix, one of Charles de Blois strongholds. His initial attack on the town was unsuccessful and having been repulsed with slight losses he settled into a siege

Commands an English force to victory against a much bigger French force at the Battle of Morlaix

The rear division was led by William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton

Appointed High Sheriff of Rutland

Created a Knight of the Garter

Death of William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton