Peter de la Mare

Who was Peter de la Mare?

Sir Peter de la Mare was an English politician and Speaker of the House of Commons during the Good Parliament of 1376.

Before becoming Speaker, he worked variously as a toll collector, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1374, and as a steward to Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March. It was probably his connection to Mortimer that earned him his position in Parliament.

Peter de la Mare attended the Good Parliament in 1376 as a knight of the shire for Herefordshire. After being elected as Speaker, he served as a spokesman for the House of Commons in the House of Lords during the indictment of various figures close to Edward III, including his mistress Alice Perrers, who had gained an undue amount of influence over the king. However, the political influence of the Good Parliament was brief. In November 1376, Peter de la Mare was imprisoned in Nottingham Castle by John of Gaunt. Despite pleas for his release, the Bad Parliament of 1377 refused to pardon him. However, he did gain his freedom in June 1377 following the death of Edward III. Following his release de la Mare was pardoned and compensated by Richard II. He was re-elected as Speaker during the Parliament of October 1377.