Peter de la Mare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter de la Mare
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| Speaker of the House of Commons | |
| In office October 1377 – November 1377 |
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| Monarch | Richard II of England |
| Preceded by | Thomas Hungerford |
| Succeeded by | James Pickering |
| In office April 1376 – January 1377 |
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| Monarch | Edward III of England |
| Preceded by | William de Shareshull (as Prolocutor, last titleholder) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Hungerford |
Sir Peter de la Mare (who died after 1387) was an important English politician. He served as the Speaker of the House of Commons. This happened during a special meeting of Parliament in 1376, known as the Good Parliament.
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Sir Peter de la Mare: A Medieval Politician
Sir Peter de la Mare was a key figure in English politics during the 1300s. He is best known for his role as Speaker of the House of Commons. This was a time when the English Parliament was gaining more power.
His Family Background
Peter de la Mare's parents were likely Sir Reginald de la Mare and his wife Margery. They lived in Herefordshire, England. He had a younger brother named Malcolm, who was also a politician. Malcolm did not have children. Peter's sister, Joan, had a daughter named Margaret. Margaret's son, Roger, later inherited Peter's lands. This suggests that Sir Peter de la Mare might not have had children of his own.
Early Life and Work
Before becoming famous, Peter de la Mare had several jobs. He worked as a toll collector, gathering money for roads or bridges. In 1374, he became the High Sheriff of Herefordshire. This meant he was the chief law enforcement officer in his county. He also worked as a steward for a powerful noble, Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March. His connection with Mortimer might have helped him get elected to Parliament.
The Good Parliament of 1376
In 1376, Peter de la Mare was chosen to represent Herefordshire in Parliament. He was a "knight of the shire," meaning he was a knight representing his county. During this meeting, called the Good Parliament, he was elected as the Speaker. The Speaker acts as the main spokesperson for the House of Commons.
As Speaker, Peter de la Mare spoke for the Commons in the House of Lords. They accused several people close to King Edward III of wrongdoing. One of these was the king's mistress, Alice Perrers. She was accused of having too much influence over the king. However, the changes made by the Good Parliament did not last long.
Imprisonment and Release
In November 1376, Peter de la Mare was put in prison. This was ordered by John of Gaunt, a powerful duke. Even though people asked for his release, the next Parliament, known as the "Bad Parliament" of 1377, refused to pardon him.
Luckily, he was set free in June 1377. This happened after King Edward III passed away. After his release, King Richard II pardoned Peter de la Mare and gave him money as compensation. He was then re-elected as Speaker in October 1377.
Later Political Years
Peter de la Mare continued to serve in Parliament during the 1380s. He was involved in several more important meetings. The last time he is mentioned in records was in 1387. At that time, he was acting as a "feoffee" for Richard Burley. A feoffee was someone who held land for another person.
Peter de la Mare in Literature
Many experts believe that a famous poem, Piers Plowman, mentions Peter de la Mare. The poem talks about a "parliament of rats and mice." This part is thought to be about the Good Parliament. Peter de la Mare is shown as the "rat of renown." This character suggests putting a bell on the cat, which likely represents John of Gaunt. This shows Peter de la Mare as a reformer who had good ideas but faced challenges in carrying them out.
