Nicholas de Moels

     Nicholas de Moels was born circa 1190. He married Hawise de newmarch, daughter of James de Newmarch, circa 1230 at Cadbury, Somersetshire, England.
     Nicholas appears to have been from an early age in the court of King John. He was granted the manor of Watlington "for his sustenance in the king's service" in 1217. He was made Sheriff of Hampshire, and governor of the castle of Winchester, and continued in this office for four years after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III. He possessed in right of Hawise, his wife, the lordships of Cadebury, and Saperton after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III, Somerset, England. He had the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Serke, and Aureny (Alderney) committed to his care after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III. He was appointed a second time as Sheriff of Hampshire after 1220 at in the reign of Henry III. He was sent to Poitou on an embassy from the King in April 1223. He served in the King's expedition into Wales circa July 1223 and served at the siege of Bedford in 1224. He was again sent to Poitou on an embassy from the King in January 1223/24. He was sent to Cologne as an ambassador to treat of a proposed marriage between Henry III and a daughter of Leopold VI, Duke of Austria, in January 1224/25. He was granted the land of Little Berkhampstead in July 1226. He was on the King's service in 1227 at Gascony, France. He was charged with negotiations as to the truce with France in March 1228. He was sheriff of Hants and custos of Winchester Castle between July 1228 and March 1232. In 1234 granted custody of the Channel Islands. Nicholas was also at the Coronation of Queen Eleanor, and with Richard Siward, carried the two royal sceptres.¹