Editing William Courtenay (bishop) (section)

==Early life and education==
Courtenay was a younger son of [[Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon]] (died 1377), and his wife [[Margaret de Bohun, 2nd Countess of Devon|Margaret]], daughter of [[Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford]] and  granddaughter of [[Edward I of England|Edward I]]. He was said to have been born at the family's estate at [[Exminster]].<ref>Lysons and Lysons "[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50577 Parishes: Exminster&nbsp;– Exmouth]" ''Magna Britannia: volume 6: Devonshire''</ref>

Being a native of the west of England, Courtenay was educated at [[Stapledon Hall]], [[Oxford University|Oxford]], and after graduating in law was chosen chancellor of the university in 1367. Courtenay's ecclesiastical and political career began about the same time.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}