Peter Courtenay (died 1405)

Sir Peter Courtenay, KG, (1346–1405) was a soldier, knight of the shire, Chamberlain to King Richard II and a famous jouster. His principal seat was Hardington Mandeville, Somerset.

Detail from rubbing of Courtenay's monumental brass in Exeter Cathedral

He was the fifth son of Hugh de Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Devon (1303–1377) by his wife Margaret de Bohun (died 1391). He had several highly prominent elder brothers, but was the most flamboyant of them all:[1]

Courtenay was knighted by the Black Prince after the Battle of Najera in 1367, at the same time as his brother Sir Philip. In 1378 whilst on a naval expedition with his brother Sir Philip, under the command of Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel and William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury, the fleet was attacked by Spaniards off the coast of Brittany and Sir Peter and his brother were captured. His ransom was paid by two wealthy burgesses of Bristol.

Rubbing from Courtenay's monumental brass in Exeter Cathedral

Courtenay married Margaret Clyvedon, daughter of John de Clyvedon by his wife Elizabeth. He died on 2 February 1405 and was buried in Exeter Cathedral, where his monumental brass, much worn-away, exists set into a slab in the floor of the south aisle.[2] It was reported by Lysons in 1822 as being then situated further to the west in or near the now demolished Courtenay chantry chapel, near to the chest tomb of his parents, which has also been moved.[3] He is shown full-length, in armour, with hands together in prayer. His figure is surrounded by a ledger line on which was formerly visible the following inscribed Latin verse, transcribed by John Prince in his Worthies of Devon[4]:

Devoniae natus, comitis Petrusque vocatus,
Regis cognatus, camerarius intitulatus:
Calisiae gratus, capitaneus ense probatus.
Vitae privatus, fuit hinc super astra relatus.
Et quia sublatus, de mundo transit amatus.
Caelo firmatus, maneat, sine fine beatus.

Prince included the following English translation:

The Earl of Devonshire's son, Peter by name,
Kin to the King, Lord Chamberlain of fame.
Captain of Calais, for arms well approved;
Who dying, was above the stars removed.
And well beloved, went from the world away,
To lead a blessed life in Heaven for aye.

References
  1. History of Parliament, House of Commons, Members 1386-1421, Sir Philip Courtenay (d.1406), brother Sir Peter mentioned passim who has own entry pending publication on-line.
  2. Erskine, Audrey; Hope, Vyvyan & Lloyd, John, Exeter Cathedral: A Short History and Description, Exeter, 1988, p.112
  3. Lysons, Daniel & Samuel, Magna Britannia, 1822, vol.6, pp.323-345
  4. Prince, John, The Worthies of Devon. A new edition, with notes. London, 1810. p.255.
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