' DUNSTER CASTLE

SIR REGINALD DE MOHUN, 1253. LADY MOHUN, 1413.

The quaint and picturesque little town of Dunster stands in the midst of some of the loveliest scenery of North Somerset. But for itself alone it is well worth a visit. Its steep street, its fine church which is in effect two churches under one roof, the one conventual, the other parochial its picturesque market-place, the whole crowned by its stately and finely placed castle, make it one of the fair spots that once seen is photographed for ever upon the visitor's memory. The property has only changed hands once since the Conquest; two families only, the Mohuns and the Luttrells, having held it .

By the Mohuns the castle was held for the Empress Maude against Stephen. In the time of the civil wars its fortunes swayed backwards and forwards ; and in both times to chronicle events would but be to recapitulate the story of the disastrous days when wars and rebellion were rife in the land. In 1643 it was taken for King Charles by the Marquis of Hertford. Colonel Wyndham was appointed governor, during which time he was visited by Prince Charles, afterwards Charles II. Again it was taken by Blake, and here in 1648 was confined William Prynne, by Cromwell.

Connected with Dunster are the tales of the unprecedented honour honour oaid by the Pope to Reginald de Mohun of Dunster in 1253; and the self-devotion of Lady Mohun in 1413, rivalling that of Lady Godiva of Coventry.

REGINALD DE MOHUN OF DUNSTER. (A.D. 1253.)

Reginald de Mohun of Dunster was honoured in the year 1253 in an unheard-of manner by Innocent IV., then keeping his court at Lyons in France. There is an ancient French MS. still in possession of the family, but the French is so obscure, and so full of Latinisms, that it is difficult to make it out.... '