File:JohnMulys Died1633 Inscription BishopsTawtonChurch Devon.xcf

English: Inscription in Bishop's Tawton Church, Devon, detail from monument to John Mulys (died 1633) (Mules) of Halmpston, Bishop's Tawton. Text:

"Erected to admonish the living of there end and to reserve his memory who is not dead but sleepeth John Mulys of Halmeston, Esq., linially descended from that worthy family of his name Barrons of North Cadbury in Somerset whence a branch transplanted (to) Ernisbourge in Swimbridge continewed on the descente to him who here lay downe to rest the 12th September 1633".

Risdon, Tristram (d.1640), Survey of Devon, 1811 edition, London, 1811, with 1810 Additions, p.322:

"Halmeston, in this tything" (Bishops-Tawton) "was the land of Fulk in King Edward III's time, by whose co-heir Alice, Baldwin Ackland was invested therewith, which descended to Joan her heir, married to Thomas Mules, second son of Thomas Mules of Ernesborough" (in the parish of Swimbridge), "in King Henry V's time; and so lineally after six descents to John Mules the late lord thereof, who married the daughter of Chafe; his father the heir of Yeomans of Northamptonshire. His only daughter and heir Anne was married to Bennet."

Regarding Ernsborough in Swimbridge, Risdon wrote:

"In this parish is Ernesborough, which, as the name imports, is a principal place or court house, in the lord's manor, and so this seems by the ruins yet remaining. Baldwin de Ernsborough was lord thereof in the beginning of Henry Ill's reign, whom three of that surname succeeded. After that it was the seat of the Flavels, whose inheritrix brought this heritage with a goodly patrimony to Sir Roger Mules, second son of the Lord Mules of North Cadbury in Somersetshire, a family that flourished there divers descents, until that honour, by Muriel and Isabel the heirs general of that house, passed unto the noble families of Courtenay and Bottreaux. Of this tribe was John Lord Mules, one of the ninety-four barons that, in a parliament holden at Lincoln, in the reign of King Edward I, anno 1301, subscribed a letter denying the Pope's pretended title to the kingdom of Scotland. The north aisle of Swimbridge Church was built by Sir John Mules of Ernsborough, as the inscription in a window, and a proof there once fairly painted and gilded, with the arms and matches of that family, make evident; unto the maintenance whereof for ever, he gave to that Church his lands called Furse."

See: w:Baron Moels; w:Barons' Letter of 1301