General Notes

William de Mohun, adult by 1131, d. in or before 1155, Earl of Somerset, held barony of Dunster, Somerset, son of Sir William de Mohun, d. after 1190, lord of Dunster, Somerset, Sheriff of Somerset 1084 & 1086, by his wife Adeliz.  [Ancestral Roots]

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EARLDOM OF MOHUN (I)

EARLDOM OF SOMERSET (I)

WILLIAM DE MOION, LORD OF DUNSTER, was heir of William DE MOION abovenamed, but his exact relationship is uncertain. In 1131 he was at the Council of Northampton. Before the death of Henry I he held more than 30 knight's fees. In 1138 he held Dunster Castle for the Empress Maud. From this stronghold he committed such ravages on the countryside that King Stephen marched against him in force; but finding Dunster Castle impregnable he left a blockading force under Henry de Tracy, who is said to have curbed William's depredations. In 1141 he joined the Empress and was almost certainly at Winchester when she was elected Queen of England on 8 April. Probably soon afterwards, and certainly before 24 June 1141, Maud created him EARL OF SOMERSET. He was with her at Westminster, about 20-24 June, and fled with her to Winchester, where he fought for her during the siege (August-September). His subsequent career is obscure. He founded a priory at Bruton (Somerset), possibly in or soon after 1142; and he was a benefactor to the priories of Bridlington and (possibly) Taunton.

He married Agnes, daughter of Walter DE GANT. He d. probably in or before 1155. Stephen did not recognise his Earldom, and as Henry II did not grant a new charter to William or his son, the Earldom of Somerset (so far as it existed) lapsed at or before his death.  [Complete Peerage XII/1:37-9, (transcribed by Dave Utzinger)]