Sir William Mohun, MP

Constituency Dates ST. GERMANS, 1563; CORNWALL, 1571; CORNWALL, 1584; CORNWALL, 1586

Family and Education

b. c. 1540, 1st s. of Reginald Mohun I by Joan, da. of Sir William Trevanion. educ. ?Padua 1556-7; L. Inn 1559. m. (1) Elizabeth, da. of Sir John Horsey†, 2s. inc. Reginald II 1da.; (2) Anne, da. and coh. of William Reskimer, wid. of John Trelawny of Menheniot, 3s. 2da. suc. fa. 22 Apr. 1567. Kntd 1583.1 Offices Held

Sheriff, Cornw. 1571-2, 1557-8; customer, Falmouth 1572; j.p. Cornw. from c.1569, Devon from c.1579; commr. piracy, Cornw. 1577; dep. lt. and commr. musters by 1585, commr. 1586; recorder, East Looe 1587.2 Biography

Though there is no evidence that Mohun’s father was a Marian exile, it may be that he sent his son abroad. A ‘William Mono’, who may or may not be the Elizabethan MP, was at Padua during Mary’s reign.3

Mohun was related to many of the leading county families, and, as demonstrated by his three elections as knight of the shire, was himself of considerable standing. His first return, for the local borough of St. Germans, was no doubt pleasing to the 2nd Earl of Bedford, whose religious views Mohun probably shared and who leased him Boconnoc. Mohun was named to committees on grievances and petitions (7 Apr. 1571), the navigation bill (8 May 1571), observing the Sabbath (27 Nov. 1584), confirming Ralegh’s letters patent (14 Dec. 1584), the subsidy (24 Feb. 1585), Devonshire kerseys (15 Mar. 1585) and the Norfolk privilege case (11 Nov. 1586). As a justice of the peace, sheriff and deputy lieutenant, he was in constant touch with the Privy Council, mostly over shipping and defence.4

Mohun made a brief will on the day of his death, 6 Apr. 1588. The executor was his son and heir Reginald, aged about 23. To another son, William, he left three manors, to his third son, Thomas, an annuity of £40, and £500 each to his two daughters. His widow received household goods and his steward an annuity of £5.5 Ref Volumes: 1558-1603 Author: N.M.S.

Notes

   1. Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 325, 396; H. C. Maxwell Lyte, Hist. Dunster, ii. 483.

   2. Lansd. 14, f. 108; 48, f. 136; 56, f. 168; 146, f. 19; A. L. Rowse, Tudor Cornw. 393; T. Bond, E. and W. Looe, 236.

   3. C. H. Garrett, Marian Exiles, 228-9.

   4. CPR, 1560-3, p. 603; HMC Foljambe, 17; CSP Dom. 1581-90, p. 304; CJ, i. 83, 88; D’Ewes, 333, 339, 356, 368, 399, 409.

   5. PCC 39 Rutland; C142/218/43.