140 EAELY HISTORY OF THE MOUNT EDGCXTMBE FAMILY. 



windows of the liall, while those of his second wife were 

 introduced into the east window of this chapel ; but I know little 

 of his biography, except that, having distinguished himself in 

 the following reign at the sieges of Therouennes and Tournay 

 and the "Battle of the Spurs" at Guinegate, he was made 

 knight-banneret by Henry VIII. I have had a facsimile of his 

 standard hung up in the hall, which shows (oddly enough) a 

 crest that was never subsequently used., and appears nowhere 

 else except on the herald's patent in my possession, dated 1513. 



All the private history of the next two generations is 

 connected rather with Mount Edgcumbe than with Ootehele. 



Early in the seventeenth century, the Sir Richard of that day 

 (for they were all called alternately Richard and Piers) married 

 the daughter of a Protestant merchant of Brabant, who had 

 sought refuge in England from the persecutions of Philip II, 

 who seems to have lent large sums to James I, and to have been 

 knighted by him, and who, by a curious coincidence, was called 

 Sir Thomas Coteele — although spelt differently from the old 

 family name. From various letters, it would seem that this 

 gentleman lived here a good deal. His picture is on the 

 staircase ; and probably much of the furniture and some of the 

 alterations of the house are of this date. Some of the tapestry 

 is Flemish ; but, whether brought by him, or transferred to this 

 place from Mount Edgcumbe when it went out of fashion, I 

 cannot say. 



One of Sir Richard's sisters, Mary, afterwards Lady Denny, 

 was maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth ; and some of the old 

 dresses, saddle housings, etc. which remain at Cotele. were 

 perhaps worn by her in the glittering train of the great Gloriana. 



I know of no matter of interest connected with this house 

 during the Civil war. A bedroom is called King Charles's, and 

 it has been supposed that he slept here ; but, although the tide 

 of war swept across the Tamar at New Bridge, within a few 

 miles, and no doubt the head-pieces in the hall were worn in 

 the service of the King, I have no proof whatever of his having 

 been within its walls. Sir Richard had evidently to suffer by 

 the confiscation of a large portion of his property, in consequence 

 of his allegiance to Charles; for we find (in the State Paper 

 OflB.ce) a document signed by him asking the Commonwealth 

 Parliament to restore the lands to his family. Colonel Piers 



