Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bohun, Henry de
BOHUN, HENRY de, first Earl of Hereford (1176–1220), constable of England, was the grandson of Humphrey III de Bohun [q. v.] and Margaret, daughter of Milo of Gloucester, earl of Hereford and constable, through whom the hereditary right to the office of constable passed to the family of de Bohun. He was born in 1176, and on the accession of John was created earl of Hereford by charter 28 April 1199. In 1200 he was sent with other nobles to summon his uncle, William the Lion of Scotland, to appear at Lincoln to do homage. In 1215 he joined the confederate barons who obtained the concession of Magna Charta, and was one of the twenty-five appointed to insure its observance. On John's death he still adhered to the party of Louis of France, and was taken prisoner in the battle of Lincoln 20 May 1217. He died on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land 1 June 1220. His wife was Maud, daughter of Geoffrey Fitz-Piers, earl of Essex, by whom he had a son Humphrey V [q. v.], who succeeded him.
[Chronicles of Rog. Hoveden, Gervase of Canterbury, and Matt. Paris; Dugdale's Baronage, i. 180.]