(4th Generation) In the early fifteenth century, Gregoire met and wed his wife, Elizabeth Maryuge, and together they had at least two children, John and Robert (5th Generation). This was a period of great domestic strife in England. The turn of the century had seen King Richard II deposed and murdered, his position and power usurped by Henry IV from the House of Lancaster. Lancastrian rule continued through Henry VI who, in 1422, ascended to the throne as a child of nine months. Henry VI grew up to be a weak ruler, both physically and mentally, and his excessive taxation of the poor of England and his concession of land to France brought widespread unrest throughout his kingdom. Richard, Duke of York, played upon this dissension by claiming a greater hereditary right to the throne and, through an act of Parliament, was named as Henry's successor, to which the king agreed. Queen Margaret, however, did not assent as she had plans for her son, Edward, to gain the throne upon his father's death. In 1455 she marshalled troops against Richard to protect her son's right to become King of England.  Thus began the War of the Roses.

It was under these circumstances, in 1459, that Gregoire's son, John, was made a Devonshire squire.  Richard, Duke of York, had been named "Protector of England" in 1454, due to the mental illness of the king.  It was customary for a ruler in need of support to grant titles to landowners in exchange for their allegiance and it is probable that John Dunham received his title in this manner.  This seems quite likely since he is also reported as having espoused the Yorkist cause against Henry VI.  Devonshire was far removed from the seat of power in Westminster (London) and its inhabitants were very apt to pledge their loyalty to a leader who would best satisfy their provincial needs.

The war between the Houses of York and Lancaster continued for thirty years, the dispute outliving the original rivals. Richard, Duke of York, died in battle before he was able to succeed the captured King Henry VI and, in 1471, the Yorkist successor had Henry murdered.  Peace was restored with the coronation of Henry Tudor in 1485.  He was of Lancastrian descent and his queen was the daughter of Yorkist King Edward IV  Their marriage and rule united the two Houses and eased the tensions between the warring factions.