Blount family

Sir Walter Blount

c. 1348-1403

A soldier and supporter of John of Gaunt and Henry IV, Sir Walter Blount is the figure associated with Barton becoming known as Barton Blount.

Life and estate connection

Sir Walter Blount was the son of Sir John Blount of Sodington and Iseult Mountjoy, and he married Sancha de Ayala by 1374. He served in John of Gaunt’s household by 1372, acquired Mountjoy estates in 1374, and purchased Bakepuiz estates in 1381.

He represented Derbyshire in Henry IV’s first parliament in 1399. At Barton Park, he is remembered for the estate history tradition that Barton was bought by Sir Walter Blount and renamed Barton Blount.

Blount died at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 as royal standard-bearer, reportedly after being mistaken for the king. Shakespeare later included him as Sir Walter Blunt in Henry IV, Part 1.