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This bloke, was created replacement Earl of Devon by Edward IV, since the actual earldom (by my reckoning) seems to have been extinct (if one holds the Act of Attainder published against the Courtenay 5e Earl of Devon, executed at Towton as dissolving the creation). Yet at the Readeption, the Attainder was reversed, but the 7th/15th Earl of Devon (brother to the lady @lolotte34 wishes to marry Richard, duke of Gloucester to) was killed on the wrong side at Tewkesbury.

Humphrey Stafford was a distant relative of the Buckingham Staffords (his relation predated their marriage that brought them the dukedom/ducal title). And he was nicknamed the 3 Month Earl for the length of his holding of the title, since his "reign" was cut short by his death.

According to Warkworth, early in 1469, he instigated the execution of Henry Courtenay, seventh Earl of Devon, hoping to get the earldom for himself.5 In the same year he was sworn of the Privy Council, and on 7 May was created Earl of Devon. On 12 July, however, he was one of the 'ceducious persones' whose 'covetous rule and gydynge' were denounced by the Commons in a bill of articles presented by Clarence to the king.6

Not sure how he "instigated" the execution of the Courtenay earl. Not impossible, but Henry Courtenay had fought against Edward IV, which would make him guilty of treason, wouldn't it?

In the same month he was sent with seven thousand archers to oppose Robin of Redesdale at Edgecote. He quarrelled, however, with William Herbert, first Earl of Pembroke, and retired with all his troops,7 with the result that Pembroke was defeated. Edward IV thereupon ordered the sheriffs of Devonshire and Somerset to put him to death as soon as he was captured. He was apprehended by some commoners of Somerset, and beheaded at Bridgwater on 17 Aug. 1469. He was buried in Glastonbury Abbey, and his will was proved on 29 Feb. 146i9-70.

So, my question is what if he had somehow avoided capture? Would Edward IV do to Stafford what he had formerly done to the only Neville earl of Northumberland? Take the title away and give it back to it's original holders? Only here, the only surviving Courtenays are distant relatives (Henry VII's creation was a pretty distant relation of the last earl) or female.
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