Nicholas de Moels was a medieval Norman administrator in Somerset.

He was born about 1195. He married, as her 2nd. husband, Hawise de Newmarch, younger daughter & co-heiress of James de Newmarch feudal baron

English feudal barony

In England, a feudal barony or barony by tenure was a form of Feudal land tenure, namely per baroniam under which the land-holder owed the service of being one of the king's barons. It must be distinguished from a barony, also feudal, but which existed within a county palatine, such as the Barony...

 of North Cadbury

North Cadbury

North Cadbury is a village west of Wincanton in the River Cam in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England. It shares its parish with nearby Yarlington and includes the village of Galhampton, which got its name from the settlement of the rent-paying peasants, and the hamlet of...

, Somerset, in about 1224. In 1230 he was granted the royal demesne

Demesne

In the feudal system the demesne was all the land, not necessarily all contiguous to the manor house, which was retained by a lord of the manor for his own use and support, under his own management, as distinguished from land sub-enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants...

 manors of Kingskerswell

Kingskerswell

Kingskerswell is a village and civil parish in the south of the county of Devon, England. The village grew up where an ancient track took the narrowest point across a marshy valley and it is of ancient foundation, being mentioned in the Domesday Book. It has a church dating back to the 14th century...

 and Diptford

Diptford

Diptford is a village in the county of Devon, England. It is perched on a hill overlooking the River Avon. The name is believed to come from "deep ford", referring to the local site of a river crossing....

 in Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

.

De Moels served as High Sheriff of Hampshire

High Sheriff of Hampshire

This is a list of High Sheriffs of Hampshire, the title was often given as High Sheriff of the County of Southampton until 1959.-List of High Sheriffs:*1070–1096: Hugh de Port *1105: Henry de Port *1129: William de Pont de l'Arche...

 (1228–1232), High Sheriff of Devon

High Sheriff of Devon

The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, he holds his office over the duration of a year. He has judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court...

 (1234), and High Sheriff of Yorkshire

High Sheriff of Yorkshire

The High Sheriff of Yorkshire was an ancient High Sheriff title originating in the time of the Angles, not long after the invasion of the Kingdom of England, which was in existence for around a thousand years. A list of the sheriffs from the Norman conquest onwards can be found below...

 (1239–1242) ; and Constable of Winchester Castle

Winchester Castle

Winchester Castle is a medieval building in Hampshire, England. It was founded in 1067. Only the Great Hall exists now; it houses a museum of the history of Winchester.-Great Hall:...

, Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle is a medieval castle in Pembroke, West Wales. Standing beside the River Cleddau, it underwent major restoration work in the early 20th century. The castle was the original seat of the Earldom of Pembroke....

, Haverfordwest Castle

Haverfordwest Castle

Haverfordwest Castle is a castle located in the town centre at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, south Wales, located in a naturally defensive position at the end of a strong, isolated ridge. The castle was established during Norman times in 1120 but much of the architecture remaining today is dated to...

, Cilgerran Castle

Cilgerran Castle

Cilgerran Castle is a 13th-century ruined castle located in Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, Wales, near Cardigan.The castle is a National Trust property, in the guardianship of Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency....

, Tenby Castle

Tenby Castle

The ruins of Tenby Castle stand on a headland west of the town of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The remaining structure stems from the 13th century but there are mentions of the castle dating back to 1153...

, Rochester Castle

Rochester Castle

Rochester Castle stands on the east bank of the River Medway in Rochester, Kent, England. The 12th-century keep or stone tower, which is the castle's most prominent feature, is one of the best preserved in England or France. Located along the River Medway and Watling Street, Rochester was a...

 (1247), Canterbury Castle

Canterbury Castle

Canterbury Castle is a Norman Castle in Canterbury, Kent, England . It is five minutes walk from Canterbury East Station and main bus station around City Wall....

 (1247) and Corfe Castle. He was also governor of the Channel Islands.

In 1244 he won a victory over French forces at Navarre, returned to fight in the Welsh wars and was made governor of the castles of Caernarvon and Cardigan. In 1246 he was then made Constable

Constable

A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...

 of Dover Castle

Dover Castle

Dover Castle is a medieval castle in the town of the same name in the English county of Kent. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history...

, High Sheriff of Kent

High Sheriff of Kent

The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...

 in 1247 and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is a ceremonial official in the United Kingdom. The post dates from at least the 12th century but may be older. The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was originally in charge of the Cinque Ports, a group of five port towns on the southeast coast of England...

 in 1258.

He died sometime after 1264 but sometime before 1272.

Children by Hawise de Newmarch

1. Agnes de Moels was born about 1230 at Cadbury. She became the second wife of William de Braose
   William de Braose, 1st Baron Braose
   William de Braose, was the first Baron Braose, as well as Lord of Gower and Lord of Bramber....
   
   , Lord of Bramber and Gower;
2. Roger de Moels was born about 1233/1237. He was appointed Marshal of the Army. Roger was also a governor of the castle of Lampsdervour in Ceredigion
   Ceredigion
   Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
   
   . He died in 1294;
3. James de Moels was born about 1254 either at Cadbury or at Chidecot, Lew, Exbourne
   Exbourne
   Exbourne is a village and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It lies in West Devon, about 5 miles north of Okehampton. It lies in a primarily agricultural location and the local parish council represents both Exbounre and nearby Jacobstowe....
   
   , Devonshire, England;
4. Maud de Moels was born about 1258 at Chidecot. She married Richard de Lorti.

Sources

• Sanders, I.J. English Baronies, A Study of their Origin & Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960, p.68, "North Cadbury"