The Mowbray lands south of the Humber: the Isle of Axholme, a fenland island between the Trent, the Idle and the Don with its old castle site at Kinnard's Ferry (Owston), and Melton Mowbray with its market in Leicestershire, with the hospital of Burton Lazars, a Mowbray foundation.
Who he is
- Name
- William de Mowbray
- Title
- Lord of the honour of Mowbray
- Since
- His father Nigel died at Acre in 1191; William had livery of his lands in 1194 on paying a relief
- Born
- About 1173, at Thirsk
- Family
- Son of Nigel de Mowbray and Mabel (probably of the Patry family). His wife is named Avice in contemporary records; sons Nigel and Roger.
- Confidence
- high
His Yorkshire honour (Thirsk, Kirkby Malzeard) is in the eno records; this record covers the Lincolnshire and Leicestershire lands. He was a hostage for Richard's ransom and witnessed the treaty with Flanders in 1197.
Overlord
King John
What it holds
- The Isle of Axholme: Epworth, Haxey, Owston, Belton; the castle at Kinnard's Ferry, slighted after the 1173-74 revolt
- Melton Mowbray and its market
- The patronage of Burton Lazars (the chief English house of the Order of St Lazarus)
- Fees in Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Lincolnshire
How it was acquired
From Nigel d'Aubigny, who took the Mowbray name and lands under Henry I.
Allies and rivals
Northern baronial kin: the Stutevilles press an old claim to the Mowbray barony (it is compromised only in 1201).
How things stand that morning
Holds Axholme and Melton in peace.
Wealth
Axholme's fen grazing and fisheries; Melton's market.
Military
No standing castle in Axholme since 1174.
Threats
- The Stuteville claim to the Mowbray inheritance
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1201The Stuteville claim is compromised: Mowbray gives up fees to William de Stuteville.Depends on: the suit reaching agreement Stopped by: a judgment for one side
Places of note
- Kinnard's Ferry: Site of the Mowbray castle of Axholme
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Holder firm; the Stuteville suit's state on 1 January 1200 is not pinned.
On the map: Main blocks only.
Primary sources for England
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, Jocelin of Brakelond (about 1198 to 1203). An inside account of Bury St Edmunds under Abbot Samson, written while the events were fresh. Read online
- Chronicle of Melrose, Anonymous (monks of Melrose abbey) (about 1173 to 1270, in many hands; the 1200 entries are near contemporary). The main Scottish annal for the year, kept at a Cistercian house on the Tweed. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of the Princes, Anonymous (Welsh translation of a lost Latin chronicle kept at Strata Florida) (Latin original to about 1282, compiled from contemporary annals; Welsh versions about 1300 and later). The native Welsh record of the year. Read online
- Chronicle; Deeds of the Kings, Gervase of Canterbury (Chronica about 1188 to 1199; Gesta Regum about 1199 to 1210). The Chronica stops in 1199, so for 1200 the witness is the briefer Gesta Regum, which notes John's peace with Philip, the coronation of Isabella at Westminster on 8 October 1200, and matters touching Canterbury: the archbishop Hubert Walter as chancellor, the cathedral priory's quarrel with him, and the Lambeth college dispute lately settled by the pope. Read online
- English Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall, Ralph of Coggeshall (about 1200 to 1224, in stages). Short but independent entries for 1200 from a Cistercian house in Essex: John's levy on the Cistercians and the carucage, the peace with Philip, the king's new marriage and the queen's coronation, and the death of Hugh of Lincoln. Read online
- Flowers of History, Roger of Wendover (about 1220 to 1235 at St Albans). For 1200 Wendover is mostly Howden rewritten, so he is a second witness only where he adds St Albans material: a long account of Hugh of Lincoln's last months, death and funeral, and anecdotes about John's conduct toward the Cistercians and his new queen. Read online
- Images of History, Ralph de Diceto (about 1188 to 1202). A London view of the year from the dean of St Paul's, who knew the justiciar and the bishops personally. Read online
22 more in the sources library for The British Isles.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.