Sir William John de Somerville, 6th Lord of Whichenour

Please see Sir Reginald Hardy: A History of the Parish of Tatenhill; https://archive.org/details/cu31924017858899/page/n49/mode/2up. Hardy gives the wife of SIr John as Joan de Everyngham, while Sir James Somerville gives her as Elizabeth Oliphant. (Steven Ferry, May 18, 2022.)

JOHN OF SOMERVILLE

According to James, eleventh Lord Somerville, who died on 4 December 1709, John of Somerville, here treated, is the second son of Roger of Somerville, lord of Whichenour in Staffordshire, England. Memorie I: pp. 35-57

The Question of Identity

James, eleventh Lord Somerville, also identified John of Somerville, here treated, as "the First of Lintoune, in Scotland" but his proposition is not supported by authentic evidence. Lord Somerville did say that he witnessed one charter issued by Malcolm IV, King of Scots, in circa 1164, and another issued by William I, King of Scots, in 1174, but this seems far too early for the Lord of Whichenour. Memorie I: pp. 35-57 Moreover, the barony of Linton was actually held by William of Somerville at this time, who gave three acres of land at Linton to the church of Glasgow during the period 1160-63. Glasgow Registrum I: charter number 16

Bogus Brother

James, eleventh Lord Somerville, also identified John of Somerville, here treated, as the younger brother of Roger of Somerville, lord of Whichenour in Staffordshire, who is said by him to have been the same person as Roger, bishop of St. Andrews, sometime chancellor of Scotland, but this claim is completely bogus. Memorie I: 29-30 Bishop Roger was in fact Roger of Beaumont, the son of Robert, Earl of Leicester, and cousin of William I, King of Scots, the king's mother Ada being a sister of the Earl. Scottish Bishops: 10

Death

James, eleventh Lord Somerville, could not identify a date of death for John of Somerville, here treated, although he appears to suggest that this event occurred around the year 1230. Memorie I: 57 This in turn suggests the possibility that he may have confused the Lord of Whichenour with another man of the same name. In any event, it seems that John of Somerville, here treated, died before 6 January 1283, when his own son John was recognized as his deceased fathers' heir. Inquisitions Post Mortem. Vol II, Edw. I: number 368 on page 205

The Worm of Linton

The Worm of Linton is a mythical beast referred to in a Scottish borders legend dating back to the twelfth century. Wikipedia: Worm of Linton

Evidence from Inquisitions Post Mortem

6 January 1283 [8 Edward I]: JOHN DE SOMERVILLE. Mandate from R. de Sandwico, the king's steward to the sheriff of Stafford, reciting writ of 6 Jan, 8 Edw, I. Stafford, Inq. (undated) ALREWAS. The manor, held of the king in chief, doing service of ¼ knight's fee and rendering 15l. yearly at the king's exchequer, and worth 4l. more yearly. WYCCHENORE AND SYRESCOTE. The manor (extent given) held of the honour of Tutteburi by service of 2 knights' fees of the fees of Mortain. TONSTALL AND NEUBOLD. viz.—a messuage, 2 carucates land, 42s. 10d. rent, 40s. of villeins' aid, and pleas and perquisites of courts, held of the honour of Totteburi by service of ¼ knight's fee. CURBORUD.. 1 virgate land held of the bishop of Coventre and Lych[feld] for two suits at the court of Lych[feld] yearly. JOHN HIS SON, aged 25 and more, is his next heir. Inquisitions Post Mortem. Vol II, Edw. I: number 368 on page 205

Secondary Source Evidence

Calendar of inquisitions post mortem and other analogous documents preserved in the Public Record Office /prepared under the superintendence of the Deputy Keeper of the Records. Vol II. Edw. I. (HMSO 1906. Kraus Reprint 1973), 705 pp. including index

Genealogy

1. Memorie of the Somervilles; being a history of the baronial house of Somerville. By James, eleventh Lord Somerville. Edited by Sir Walter Scott. In Two Volumes. Vol. I. (Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh, 1815), 495 pp.
2. Memorie of the Somervilles; being a history of the baronial house of Somerville. By James, eleventh Lord Somerville. Edited by Sir Walter Scott. In Two Volumes. Vol II. (Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh, 1815), 487 pp. plus Errata
3. Family Tree: John de Somervill

The Worm of Linton===www.findagrave.com

Sir William John de Somerville
BIRTH unknown
Linton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
DEATH 1230
Linton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
BURIAL
Linton Church Cemetery
Linton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
MEMORIAL ID 144415910

Baron Lintone of Linton Tower
Born and died at Linton Tower

He was buried next to his father in the Linton Church in 1233 at the age of 80 years.

Family Members
Parents
Roger III de Somerville
1177–1243

Spouse
Elizabeth Oliphant Somerville
1200–1240

Children
Robert de Somerville
unknown–1297

1. Wikipedia: Worm of Linton
2. Linton Dragon Slayer