Peter Bland, Master Warden

Peter Bland was the son of Adam Bland, Skinner to the Queen, and wife Joane Atkyns. He was born in 1557 in London, England, and died after June 27, 1625. He married Susan (unk).

Peter joined the Skinners' Company, the London guild that processed pelts brought in by hunters and trappers. His father was highly placed in that guild, eventually becoming Skinner to the Queen. After Adam's death in 1594, Peter, as the eldest living male heir, inherited the title. Peter held the position until 1618 when he was named Master Warden. At about the same time, Peter appears to have gone "insane" from a stroke and the post devolved to his son-in-law, Thomas Langhorne.

A great family conflict arose over Peter's estate. Peter left the bulk of his estate to a nephew-in-law, Lawrence Lownes. According to the Bland Heritage Organization, this conflict, ended to the advantage of his brother John Bland "The Grosser" (1572-1632), though the next eldest brother after Peter was Gregory. John was a large volume merchant and a stockholder in the Virginia Company of London. After receiving his inheritance, John quickly made his will, which excluded brother Gregory and an "infamous" nephew Lawrence Lownes. However, reading the abstract of the judgment in the case, it appears that the Chancery Court refused to void Peter's will.

One daughter is known, Joane Bland, who married Thomas Langhorne. No other children are known. If he had sons, they did not reach adulthood, as his title went to a son-in-law.