Matthew Gournay

1. (c.1310–1406)  Knight and fourth son of Sir Thomas Gournay of Inglescombe, Somerset.
2. An experienced soldier of the Hundred Years’ War with a record of action on several fronts including the battles of Sluys, Crécy, and possibly Poitiers.
3. Gournay’s first known visit to Iberia was as a crusader, participating in the siege of Algeciras somewhere between 1342 and 1344.
4. As a mercenary captain, in 1365-6, he took the lead of a group of some 200 mercenaries in the free companies joining Bertrand du Guesclin and Enrique de Trastámara during the latter’s march on Castile in a bid for the crown. He becomes an annuitant of Pere IV of Aragon.
5.  According to the contemporary poet Jean Cuvelier, Gournay was dispatched on an embassy to Portugal where he distinguished himself in feats of arms (c. 1366).  
6. When the Black Prince joined Pedro of Castile's side, Gournay received orders to abandon Enrique de Trastámara for the prince’s contingent. With Sir William Beauchamp, he went on to share in another victory at Nájera (1367).
7. Gournay retained interests in Aragon: c.1371 he purchased Sir Hugh Calveley's castles in that kingdom thus becoming lord of Mola in addition to his lordship of Novelda nearby. His rights to Asp (Valencia) were also recognized not long afterwards. Between 1392 and 1394,  Richard II addressed Joan I of Aragon on Gournay’s behalf, concerning his rights in the region.
8. For most of 1381–2, Gournay was in Portugal on military action as marshal (constable, according to Froissart) of the army of Edmund, Earl of Cambridge,  who had come in aid of Fernando I. Gournay's was one of the largest retinues with around 480 men. 
9. Much of his later career was spent fighting for English interests in southwestern France.   

(TVF)