Background
Josias II Calmady was the third son and eventual heir of Sir Shilston I Calmady (1585-1645) by his wife Honora Fortescue, daughter of Edmund Fortescue of Fallapit, East Allington, Devon, and widow of Sir Humphrey Prideaux of Soldon, Holsworthy. Sir Shilston I Calmady of Langdon was knighted in 1618 at Theobalds Grove and was killed during the Civil War at the siege of Ford Abbey, Devon, on 13 February 1645, and was buried in nearby Wembury, Devon parish church, where survives his monument.
