John Chichester (died 1569)

He was the son of Edward Chichester (died 27 July 1526) of Great Torrington, who predeceased his own father, also Sir John (1474-1537), by his wife Lady Elizabeth Bourchier (died 1548), whose small monumental brass exists in St Brannock's Church, Braunton, a daughter of John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath (1470–1539) whose seat was at Tawstock Court, 3 miles south of Raleigh.

He joined his cousin John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath in being amongst the first to defy Northumberland by proclaiming Queen Mary as monarch.

A heraldic panel from high up on the right side of the monument to Sir John Chichester (died 1569) in Pilton Church shows his children and their marriage alliances.

The first (leftmost, top row) representing the marriage of his eldest son and heir, shows Chichester impaling the Danish battle-axes of Denys of Holcombe Burnell.

A highly ornate monument exists against the east wall of the Raleigh Chapel in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Pilton.

On a tablet placed in its centre is inscribed the following Latin text: O.nus Johannes Chichester Eques obiit 30th (sic) [28] Novembris 1569.

Ad lectorem: Vana salus hominis tumideque simillima bulle, Quam cito bulla cadit tam cito vita perit, Dum vivis tu vive [29] deo nam vivere mundo, Mortis opus vita est vivere vera deo, Celica [30] terrenis prepone eterna caducis, Perpetuum nihil est quod crevis hora rapit, Sit tua firma fides pretioso in sanguine Christi, Non aliunde tibi certa petenda salus, Pectore non ficto si spem tibi junxeris istam, Perpetuo dabitur non peritura quies.

for to live in the world, Life is the work of death to live in God is true life, Place eternal heavenly things before perishable earthly ones, Nothing is forever, what you grow the hour snatches away, Let your faith be strong in the precious blood of Christ, It is not fitting for you to seek sure health elsewhere, Not with a brave look if you shall join to yourself that hope, Rest not about to perish shall be given in perpetuity".

Arms of Sir John Chichester shown within a strapwork surround from his monument in Pilton Church : Chequy or and gules, a chief vair
Small monumental brass (c. one ft high) in St Brannock's Church, Braunton , Devon, of Lady Elizabeth Bourchier (died 1548), daughter of John Bourchier, 1st Earl of Bath & wife of Edward Chichester (died 1522) of Raleigh, Pilton . She kneels at prayer before a prie dieu on which is an open book. Gothic text inscription under: "Here lyethe Lady Elyzabethe Bowcer daughter of John Erle of Bathe & sumtyme wyffe to Edwarde Chechester Esquyer the whyche Elyzabethe decessyd the XXXIIIth day of August in the yere of O_r Lorde God M Vc (i.e. 5*c) XLVIII apon whose soule God have m(er)cy" . The brass is a palimpsest , engraved on the reverse is the face of a knight, with helmet unfinished, apparently containing an artistic error which led to its abandonment & reuse
Heraldic escutcheon on the monument to Sir John Chichester (died 1569) of Raleigh in Pilton Church, Devon. Showing arms of Chichester impaling Bourchier ( Argent, a cross engrailed gules between four water bougets sable , here restored incorrectly as gules ), representing the marriage of his parents
Arms of Courtenay of Powderham : Or, three torteaux a label azure
Heraldic panel on monument to Sir John Chichester (died 1569) in Pilton Church , showing his children and their marriage alliances
Monument in Eggesford Church of Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester of Carickfergus (1568–1648) and his wife Anne Copleston (1588–1616)
Mary Chichester (died 1613), wife of Richard Bluett Esq. (died 1614) of Holcombe Rogus. Detail from her effigy on the couple's monument in All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus
Far right : 16th century escutcheon showing the quartered arms of Sir John Chichester (quarterly of 4: Chichester, Raleigh, Beaumont quartering Willington, Wise), impaling Courtenay quartering Redvers. Chimney-piece in Simonsbath House , [ 16 ] having been moved there in the early 20th century by the Fortescue family from their seat at Weare Giffard Hall . [ 17 ] Hugh Fortescue (1544–1600) of Weare Giffard married Elizabeth Chichester (died 1630), a daughter of Sir John Chichester by his wife Gertrude Courtenay
Monument to Sir John Chichester (died 1569), Raleigh Chapel in Church of St Mary the Virgin , Pilton , Devon
Latin inscription on Monument to Sir John Chichester (died 1569), Raleigh Chapel in Church of St Mary the Virgin , Pilton , Devon