John de Bohun, 5th Earl of Hereford (b. 1306)

John de Bohun, 5th Earl of Hereford: A Life Shaped by Medieval Turmoil

John de Bohun, born on 23 November 1306 and passing on 20 January 1336, was destined for a life deeply intertwined with the tumultuous politics of 14th-century England. As the 5th Earl of Hereford and Earl of Essex, his journey to claiming his ancestral dignities was marked by significant political upheaval and personal loss, characteristic of the often-volatile relationships between the English Crown and its powerful nobility during the High Middle Ages.

Ancestry and Royal Connections

John de Bohun's noble lineage offered him a prominent, albeit precarious, position within the English aristocracy. He was born in St Clement's, Oxford, a location that underscores the widespread landholdings and influence of the Bohun family across the realm. His parents were:

• Humphrey de Bohun, the 4th Earl of Hereford and Earl of Essex, a powerful magnate with extensive estates and a key, albeit rebellious, figure in the turbulent reign of King Edward II.
• Elizabeth of Rhuddlan, an exceptionally high-born woman, being a cherished daughter of King Edward I of England, known as "Longshanks" for his height and imposing presence, and his first wife, Eleanor of Castile. This direct royal connection brought immense prestige and potential influence within the court, but also exposed the Bohuns to the dangerous whims of royal politics.

This esteemed parentage placed John de Bohun at the very heart of the Anglo-Norman elite, granting him a hereditary claim to some of the most significant titles and offices in the kingdom.

The Shadow of Boroughbridge: Forfeiture and Disinheritance

The path to John's inheritance was severely obstructed by the political strife that defined his early life. His father, Humphrey de Bohun, became a leading figure among the baronial opposition to King Edward II and his unpopular favourites, notably Piers Gaveston and later the powerful and avaricious Despenser family. This protracted resistance, driven by grievances over royal misrule and the concentration of power in the hands of the king's favourites, culminated in the decisive Battle of Boroughbridge on 16 March 1322.

At Boroughbridge, the royal forces loyal to Edward II decisively defeated the rebellious baronial army, which was primarily led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and included Humphrey de Bohun among its prominent leaders. Tragically, Humphrey de Bohun was killed during the battle, an event that had immediate and severe repercussions for his family. As a direct consequence of his father's participation in this failed rebellion, all the extensive Bohun family lands, titles, and hereditary offices were declared forfeit to the Crown. This act of forfeiture, a common punitive measure against rebellious magnates in medieval England, meant that John, as the rightful heir, was initially prevented from succeeding to his inherited position, leaving him in a precarious state of disinheritance and diminishing the family's immediate power.

A Turn of Fortune: The Fall of the Despensers

John de Bohun's prospects remained bleak for several years following the Battle of Boroughbridge, as King Edward II's power was increasingly consolidated and manipulated by his new favourites, Hugh Despenser the Younger and his father, Hugh Despenser the Elder. The Despensers, through their rapacious accumulation of wealth, influence, and land, became deeply unpopular figures, effectively controlling the king and dominating the English government, leading to widespread resentment throughout the realm.

However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in 1326 with the invasion of England by Queen Isabella, Edward II's estranged and deeply aggrieved wife, and her formidable ally, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. This invasion, fuelled by popular discontent against the Despensers and the king, led swiftly to the fall of the Despensers, their public executions, and the ultimate deposition and murder of Edward II in 1327. This dramatic change in regime, ushering in the regency of Isabella and Mortimer for the young Edward III, provided the crucial window of opportunity for John de Bohun and other dispossessed noble families.

With the Despensers removed from power and a new, albeit controversial, regency government established, the injustices perpetrated under Edward II's later reign began to be rectified. It was in this reformed political climate, eager to secure the loyalty of powerful noble families, that John de Bohun was finally permitted to reclaim his rightful inheritance and be fully restored to his ancestral dignities.

Reclamation of Inherited Dignities and Offices

Upon the reversal of the forfeiture, a process often involving petitions and political negotiation, John de Bohun was fully restored to his ancestral dignities and responsibilities. These significant positions not only conferred immense social status but also practical power and authority within the kingdom:

• Earl of Hereford and Essex: These two prestigious earldoms represented vast landholdings and considerable feudal power, particularly across the Welsh Marches (the borderlands between England and Wales) and in the fertile south-east of England. The Bohuns were among the wealthiest and most influential of England's peerage.
• Hereditary Constable of England: This was one of the Great Offices of State, holding immense military and judicial authority. The Constable was traditionally responsible for maintaining martial law, regulating the affairs of the army both in England and during campaigns abroad, and, alongside the Earl Marshal, presiding over the Court of Chivalry. This court dealt with matters of military honour, breaches of military discipline, and the law of arms. This hereditary role underscored the Bohun family's historical prominence in England's military and administrative structure.
• Lord of Brecknock: This crucial marcher lordship, located in present-day Wales, was a strategic territory that conferred significant local autonomy, feudal rights, and military responsibility on the Earls of Hereford, particularly in controlling the volatile border regions and raising troops for royal service.

John de Bohun held these restored titles and offices until his death on 20 January 1336, marking a period of stability for the Bohun family after the turbulent years that had initially deprived him of his birthright.

Frequently Asked Questions About John de Bohun and His Era

Who was Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford?

Humphrey de Bohun was John's father, a powerful English magnate and a leading figure in the baronial opposition against King Edward II. He was a significant participant in the political turmoil of the early 14th century, culminating in his death at the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322, which led to the temporary forfeiture of the extensive Bohun family estates and titles.

What was the significance of the Battle of Boroughbridge?

The Battle of Boroughbridge, fought on 16 March 1322, was a pivotal engagement in English history during the reign of Edward II. It saw the decisive defeat of a major baronial rebellion led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and Humphrey de Bohun, by the king's forces. This royal victory temporarily consolidated Edward II's power, allowing him to enforce his will and punish rebels with executions and widespread forfeiture of lands, including those of the Bohuns.

Who were the Despensers and why were they important?

Hugh Despenser the Younger and his father, Hugh Despenser the Elder, were royal favourites who gained immense power, wealth, and influence under King Edward II, especially after 1322. They effectively controlled the king and dominated his government through their avarice and ambition, leading to widespread resentment among the nobility and the populace. Their oppressive rule ultimately triggered an invasion by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer in 1326, leading to their overthrow, the deposition of Edward II, and significant political realignments, including the restoration of lands and titles to families like the Bohuns who had been dispossessed.

What was the role of the Hereditary Constable of England?

The Hereditary Constable of England was one of the highest Great Offices of State, traditionally responsible for significant military and judicial functions. The Constable's duties included maintaining martial law within the kingdom and the army, regulating military discipline, overseeing parades, and, alongside the Earl Marshal, presiding over the Court of Chivalry. This court handled matters related to military honour, heraldry, and disputes arising under the law of arms, making it a position of considerable authority and prestige, particularly during times of war.