Sir Robert de Cary, Kt.

• 'Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal ..., Volume 1 edited by Ellery Bicknell Crane Pg. 296
• http://books.google.com/books?id=nfhSZxL8bTEC&pg=RA10-PA296&lpg=RA1...
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• 'Sir Robert Cary was born circa 1380.1 He was the son of Sir John de Cary and Margaret de Holeway.2 He married, firstly, Elizabeth Courtenay, daughter of Sir Philip Courtenay.1 He married, secondly, Jane Hanksford, daughter of Sir William Hanksford.1
• ' Sir Robert Cary lived at Clovelly, Devon, England.2 He lived at Cockington, Devon, England.1
• 'Child of Sir Robert Cary and Elizabeth Courtenay
  • 1.Sir Philip Cary+3 b. c 1400, d. 1437
• Citations
• 1.[S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 1, page 709. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
• 2.[S37] Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition, volume 1, page 1382.
• 3.[S37] Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
• From: http://thepeerage.com/p20695.htm#i206946
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• 'Robert CAREY (Sir)
• 'Born: ABT 1375, Holway, Devonshire, England
• 'Notes: Descent from John, William De, William (Karry), John (Karry), Adam De (Karry). About 1402 Henry V restored the confiscated lands of his father and authorized him to bear the arms of a Knight of Arragon.
• Father: John CAREY (Sir)
• Mother: Margaret HOLLOWAY
• 'Married 1: Margaret COURTENAY ABT 1395, Holway, Devonshire, England
• 'Married 2: Jane HANKEFORD ABT 1399, Holway, Devonshire, England
• Children:
  • 1 Phillip CAREY
• From: http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/CAREY.htm#Robert CAREY1
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Burke's Heraldry notes : "In the beginning of the reign of Henry V ( 1413 - 1422 ), a certain Knight-Errant of Arragon, having passed through divers countries and performed many feats of arms, arrived here in England where he challenged any man of his rank and quality to make a trial of his skill in arms.

The challenge was accepted by Sir Robert Cary, between whom a cruel encounter and a long and doubtful combat was waged. But at length the noble champion vanquished the presumptuous Knight from Arragon for which Henry V restored unto him a good part of his father's lands (including Clovelly) which had been seized by Henry IV (the Carys were staunch Loyalists and lost much land and property during the time of Cromwell).

Henry also authorized him to bear the arms of the Knight of Arragon according to the laws of heraldry. The original arms of John, the Baron, were a "silver chevron on a red shield with three swans on it."

The descendants of Robert now wear the arms of the Knight of Arragon which was a silver shield with three roses and take the swan for a crest thus combining the two. The motto is "Virtute Excerpta," which means "Selected for Courage" or "Of Exceptional Bravery."

It has been said that the Carey family descends from Adam de McArey, the Lord of the Kerry Castle and estate in Somersetshire, England.

There is an old tradition about Sir Robert Carey and how he obtained the family coat of arms.

"In the beginning of the reign of Henry V ( 1413 - 1422 ), a certain Knight-errant of Aragon, having passed through divers countries, and performed many feats of Arms, arrived here in England, where he challenged any man of his rank and quality to make a trial of his skill in arms. This challenge was accepted by Sir Robert Cary, between whom a cruel encounter, and a long and doubtful combat was waged in Smithfield, London. But at length this noble Champion vanquished the presumptuous Aragonois, for which King Henry V restored unto him a good part of his father’s lands, which for his loyalty to Richard II he had been deprived of by Henry IV and authorized him to bear the Arms of a Knight of Aragon, which the noble posterity continue to wear unto this day; for according to the laws of Heraldry, whoever fairly in the field conquers his adversary may justify the wearing of his Arms.” [ Burke’s Heraldry ]

Another version of this relates :

“In the time of Henry V cam out of Aragon a lusty gentleman into England, and challenged to do feites of armes, with any English gentleman without exception. This Sir Robert Cary hearing thereof, made suite forthwith to the Prince, that he might answer the challenge, which was granted, and Smithfield was the place appointed for the same, who, at the day and time prefixed, both parties mett and did performe sundrie feates of armes, but in the end this Robert gave the foils and overthrow to the Aragon Knight, disarmed and spoiled him, which his doinge so well pleased the Prince, that he receyved him into great favor, caused him to be restored to the most part of his father’s landes, and willed him also for a perpetuall memorie of his victorie, that he should henceforth give the same armes as the Aragon Knight he vanquished.”

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Robert Cary was born in 1375 in Holway Devon Shire, England. He died before 1435. He first married Margaret Countney around 1395. We have no record of children. He then married Jane Hanchford who was born 1379 in Holway Devon Shire, England. Her father was William Hanchford.

This quote form an unknown original source tells us a lot about him. It says as follows, "In the beginning of the reign of Henry V a certain knight-errand of Arragon performed many feats of arms, to his high commendation, arrived here in England, where he challenged any man of his rank and quality to make trial of his valor and skill in arms. This challenge Sir Robert Cary accepted: between whom a cruel encounter and a long and doubtful combat was waged, in Smithfield, London. Sir Robert Cary vanquished the presumptuous Arragon; for which King Henry V restored unto him good part of his father's lands, which for his loyalty to King Richard II, he had been deprived of by King Henry IV."

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Laurel Logan

August 3, 2008

from http://www.sparksgenealogy.net/cary.html

Robert Cary b: 1375 in Holway, Devon, England

+Jane Hanchford Father: William Hanchford

Notes for Robert Cary:

1.) b. in 1375, an extract from Burkes Heraldry: 'In the beginning of the reign of Henry V. (1413- 1422) a certain knight-errant of Aragon, having passed through divers countries, and performed  many feats of arms, arrived here in England, where he challenged any man of his rank and quality  to make a trial of his skill at arms.  This challenge was accepted by Sir Robert Cary, between  whom a cruel encounter and a long and doubtful combat was waged in Smithfield, London.  But  at length this noble champion vanquished the presumptuous Arragonois, for which King Henry V,  restored unto him a good part of his fathers lands, for which his loyalty to Richard II, he had been  deprived of by Henry IV. 

2.) He was authorized to bear the arms of a Knight of Aragon, which the noble posterity wear to this day. For according to the Laws of Heraldry , whosoever fairley in the field conquers his adversary may justify the wearing of his arms.'
--Laurel Logan