Henry Courtenay was an English nobleman born around 1495. He was the son of the 1st Earl of Devon, and he became the 2nd Earl of Devon after his father's death. Courtenay was a prominent figure in the Tudor court during the reign of King Henry VIII and was known for his connections to the royal family. In 1538, Henry Courtenay was arrested and later executed for treason. His downfall was partly due to his opposition to Thomas Cromwell, a powerful minister in Henry VIII's government. Courtenay's execution marked the end of his family's influence in the English nobility.