Notes:

--- http://www.weissgallery.com/paintings/two-young-children-repute-courtenay-family

English School
Two young children, by repute from the Courtenay family
Painted 1633
Provenance
Oil on canvas: 27 1/8 x 44 3/16 inches, 67.8 x 110.5 cm
Provenance: By repute, by descent within the Courtenay family; Private collection, England.

This naïve and charming provincial portrait is reputed through provenance to represent two young children from the Courtenay family, a large and distinguished West Country family of great antiquity.[1] However, there is an absence of any coat of arms to aid a precise identification of these two children which is problematic as the Courtenays were a large, diffuse family with extensive properties throughout Devon, Cornwall and Ireland. In addition, much of this property was dispersed through marriage to other branches of the family based in Devon, Cornwall and Ireland, in particular amongst the Mohuns, Arundells, Tretherffes, and Trelawnys, and their descendants. [2] [3]

Therefore, the identification of the two young sitters becomes an educated guess based on comparison of all the dates of births of every branch of the Courtenay family. Two members of the family appear to fit the date and age inscribed on the painting, that is, Anne Courtenay (b.1630 - ?) and her sister Susan (b.1632 - ?). Their parents were Peter Courtenay of Penkevell, Cornwall (b. 1584 - ?) and Amye Trehane. Anne Courtenay married first in 1650, Sir Peter Courtenay of Trethurfe, Cornwall and secondly, Sir Peter Fortescue of Wood, Devon.

Our double portrait of the children has an unusual composition as they are painted half-length within double faux stone ovals. Both children are dressed in similar costumes consisting of matching red bodices and skirts with white linen aprons, which in the case of the baby is edged in needlepoint lace. Their flat collars are also decorated with a combination of cutwork and needlepoint lace, while the cuffs are finished in very fine needlepoint lace. There are subtle differences in the costumes, for example, while both children wear little caps trimmed with lace that fits their heads snugly, the baby also wears a more ornate lace trimmed headdress over this cap and pretty black bows on her sleeves whilst her elder sibling’s costume is richly decorated with gold braiding.

The elder child holds a hornbook [4] and enough of the text is legible for its edifying nature to be understood. When it came to the education of children during the seventeenth century, religion occupied a dominate place in the upbringing of righteous and well-educated children. However, it would be unusual for a three-year-old child to possess the ability to read and so this imagery most probably alludes to their parents’ educational ideals and their intention to educate and raise their children as god-fearing and righteous citizens. [5]

--- "Western Antiquary" Vol. 12, 1893, page 78:
1700, Dec. 4. --- Lady Amy Fortescue.
(She was the daughter of Peter Courtenay of S. Michael Penkivel, and relict first of Sir Peter Courtenay of Trethurse, and after of Sir Peter Fortescue of Wood.)

---
Reference: 2246/1
Description:

Release

1 John Fortescue of Penwarn, Cornwall, esq and Amy, his wife, Fortescue Turberville of the Inner Temple, London, esq and Bridget, his wife (trustees of the will of Lady Amy Fortescue, late of Brutteston, widow), Richard Jackson and Peter Davis, both of Ermington, yeoman

2 Thomas Revell of Ermington, husbandman

Messuage in Ermington formerly in the possession of William Quick, dec'd
Date: 1705
Held by: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, not available at The National Archives

Amy married Peter Fortescue on 25 Nov 1669 in St. Buryan, Cornwall. Peter (son of Francis Fortescue and Elizabeth Speccot) was born about 1620; died before 14 Aug 1685; was buried on 14 Aug 1685 in Ermington, Devon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Amy married John Fortescue on 07 Nov 1688 in St. Mary's, Woodleigh, Devon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Will: 20 Sep 1709
• Probate: 10 Nov 1709, P.C.C., London

Family/Spouse: Fortescue Turberville. Fortescue (son of John Turberville and Elizabeth Fortescue) died on 04 Jul 1710 in Charleston, South Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

--- Twin sister of Peter Fortescue (d. 15 Oct 1674), who was baptised on 14 Oct 1674, presumably at the time of, or shortly after, their birth.

Notes:

--- Twin brother of Mary Fortescue (d. 23 May 1698), who was not baptised until 30 Nov 1674. Presumably, Peter was born sickly and was baptised th at the time of, or shortly after, their birth.

Notes:

--- "Ipswich Journal" 24 Jun 1721-1 Jul 1721, page 5:
London June 29.
On Tuesday one Mrs. Tuberville, a young Gentlewoman of a good Fortune, who had been clandestinely marry'd against the consent of her Friends, was produced by her Guardians at the King's-Bench-Bar, Westminster, pursuant to an Order of that Court. Her Husband being present, severral Affidavits relating to the Marriage were reaad; after which, the young Gentlewoman was ask'd by the Court, whether she was willing to live with her Husband or her Guardians, and she chusing to go with the latter, the Court order'd a Tipstaff to see her safe home, that no Violence might be offer'd by her suppos'd Husband, and likewise order'd the Validity of the Marriage to be try'd before the Lord-Chancellor.

--- "Newcastle Courant" 1 Jul 1721, page 4
One Dibley, a Journey-man Blacksmith, having lately clandestinely Married one Mrs. Turbervile, a Fortune of 16,000 pounds who was under the care of Mrs. Grondvile and Mrs. Clarkson, who seized her a few Hours after she was marryed (having first been bedded) and detained her ever since from her Husband; the said Guardians were last Tuesday served with a Habeas Corpas, to produce her before the Judges.

--- "Newcastle Courant" 8 Jul 1721, page 4:
Last Tuesday one Mrs. Dibley, alias Turbeville, a young Gentlewoman of a good Fortune, who had been married against her Friends Consent, was produd'd by her Guardians (who had taken her from her Husband, asson as married and bedded) at the King's Bench Bar, pursuant to an Order of that Court. And after several Affidavits on both Sides, being ask'd by the Court whether she was willing to live with her Husband, or her Guardians; she chose the latter, and accordingly was sent home with them: And the Validity of the Marriage is to be try'd in the Court of Chancery.

--- "Ipswich Journal" 29 Jul 1721, page 5:
On Tuesday came on before the Lord Chancellor, at his House in Lincoln's-Inn Fields, a Hearing concerning the Validity of the famous Marriage betwixt Mr. Dibley and Miss Turberville, the Consummation of which being proved by Witnesses, as well as by the Affidavits of the Parties themselves, his Lordship confirm'd the Marriage, but committed Mr. Dibley, and three of his Witnesses to the Fleet, they for Perjury and him for Subornation of Perjury, in falsly swearing himself, at the taking out of the License at Doctors Commons to be 30 Years of Age, and his Wife 27, and for seducing the others to confirm the same by their Affidavits.

--- "Newcastle Courant" 2 Sep 1721, page 3:
Mr. Dibley, the Druggist, who lately marry'd Miss Tuberville, and was committed to the Fleet Prison for Subornation of Perjury, has been this Week admitted to Bail.

--- "London, England, Church of England Baptism, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812" (Camden, St John at Hampstead, 1560-1737, image 110) on Ancestry.com
[Mistakenly listed as the "daughter" of William Dibley. She was his wife.]
Burials 1726. Oct. 27. Bridget daughter of William Dibley.

Bridget married William Dibley on 24 Jun 1721 in London, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]