Originally located on a low-lying site along the E bank of the gently winding River Culm, a few miles from Exeter.
The Tudor residence of the Marquess of Exeter was demolished long ago and the site has not been excavated. Only the later 16th c. gateway arch of the Aclands' house and an early 17th c. chapel remain.
Few household accounts survive for the influential Courtenay family but entertainers under the patronage of the Marquess of Exeter appeared elsewhere in the early 16th c. It is likely that these performers also entertained their patron at Columbjohn.
Demolished. The site is now owned by the National Trust and the land farmed.
by 1415 Owned by Sir John Prideaux. Granted to Richard Banfield.
1486 Reverted to Edward Courtenay, 17th Earl of Devon.
early 16th c. Henry Courtenay, Marquess of Exeter, began construction of a new house.
1539 Reverted to the Crown on Henry Courtenay's attainder.
155x Given to George Basset. Subsequently sold to W. Rowswell.
1580/1 Sold to Sir John Acland of Acland Barton by Alexander Every.
ca. 1590 Acland built a new house on the site.
1608 Chapel consecrated.
1622 Columbjohn became the principal residence of the Acland family.
1642--6 Alternating periods of occupation by royalist and parliamentarian troupes.
1680 Acland family relocated to their Killerton estate on a more commanding site 1 mile away. Sir Hugh Acland enlarged the Killerton house.
by 1756 House demolished. Only the chapel, gatehouse and a cottage remained.
REED Devon 37, 129, 130--2, 135, 194, 222, 224--5; Shropshire 1.196
| Name | Dates | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Courtenay, Henry | 1498-1539 | 19th Earl of , Knight of the , 1st Marquess of |
