English: List of vicars and patrons of the combined parish of Knowstone-cum-Molland in Devon. Inscribed board displayed in Knowstone Church. Before 1189 either the original Norman recipient of the manors of Molland and Knowstone or his descendant, a certain "William de Botreaux" gave the advowsons of the churches of Forrabury, Molland and Knowstone to the newly founded Hartland Abbey in Devon. English rectors pre-1427 as listed were by custom accorded the title Sir, which does not imply knighthood. The Culme family, also of Canonsleigh Abbey, purchased the combined advowson and the manor of Champson, in the parish of Molland, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. They were related to the Willoughby family of Molland, also of Payhembury. Sir Edward Hungerford, a notorious spendthrift, married the Culme heiress. He sold Champson to the Courtenay family, lords of the manor of Molland-Bottreux, who as Roman Catholics had no right to active patronage of the rectory.

• For Froude, father and son, see w:John Froude;
• Rev John Matthews, source of various anecdotes concerning his notorious predecessor John Froude II (1777-1852), recorded in Baring-Gould, Rev. Sabine, Devonshire Characters and Strange Events, 1926, Two Hunting Parsons.
• Rev Edward Henry Moscardi (b.1854), Rector from 1906, was from Bristol of Italian/German parents, and married Ethel Matthews daughter of Rev Matthews, Rector of Knowstone in 1886. He went to Oxford University and straight after that joined the Indian Civil Service. He became rector of Knowstone 1906 on death of father-in-law. His father was Lucio Moscardi, a Professor of Languages. Catalogue of the papers of the Benson family 18th-20th century in the Bodleian Library, Oxford University, includes some letters written by Ethel Matthews after her marriage to Edward Moscardi (a judge). They were written from Ahmedabad, India which is where Ethel went after her marriage. Died at bath 1930. (details on Moscardi from: https://www.british-genealogy.com/archive/index.php/t-44226.html?s=f7130448646df418872979418e28dcc3)