De Braose family

The Barons de Braose were a formidable force in medieval England and Wales. Their origins were in Briouze, Normandy and after 1066 the family settled in the Adur Valley of West Sussex, England. In Wales the spirit of conquest sustained them for 250 years. The terror of their reputation had few equals although they were themselves overwhelmed by injustice and tragedy several times.

The story of the Braoses is also written in the stones of churches and castles. Some of the most beautiful sites of Britain's medieval heritage are associated with the Braose family. Their traces can be seen in Normandy and Ireland too. Whatever your interest, we hope you enjoy this web site and can visit some of the marvellous places that illustrate the history of the Barons de Braose.

Guillaume de Briouze is recorded in lists of those present at the Battle of Hastings. He became the first Lord of Bramber Rape by 1073 and built Bramber Castle. William made considerable grants to the abbey of Saint Florent, Saumur to endow the foundation of Sele Priory near Bramber and a priory at Briouze. He continued to fight alongside King William in the campaigns in Britain, Normandy and Maine. According to L C Perfect, a 13th century genealogy in the Bibliothèque de Paris gives the name of his wife as Eve de Boissey, widow of Anchetil de Harcourt.. . ... more


Bramber castle whose name is taken from the Saxon 'Brymmburh' meaing fortified place, was built shortly after the Conquest by William de Braose.

  • A1. William de Braose of Bramber, lvd:1066, m. Eve de Boissey;
    • B1. Philip de Braose of Radnor;
      • C1. William de Braose of Brecknock and Bramber, m. Bertha of Gloucester;
        • D1. Sibyl de Braose, lvd:1219, m. William de Ferrers;  <==  Ferrers family
        • D2. William de Braose, 3rd Lord of Bramber, d:1211, m. Maud de Waleran;
          • E1. Maud de Braose, m. Gruffydd;  <==  House of Wales
          • E2. Bertha de Braose, m. William de Beauchamp;  <==  Beauchamp family
          • E3. Reginald de Braose, d:1228, m. Groecia de Bruere;
            • F1. William de Braose of Brecknock and Abergavenny, d:1230, m. Eva Marshall;  ==>  Marshal family
              • G1. Maud de Braose, m. Sir Roger de Mortimer;  <==  Mortimer family
              • G2. Eleanor de Braose, m. Sir Humphrey de Bohun;  <==  Bohun family
          • E4. William de Braose of Totnes, d:1210, m. Maud de Clare;  ==>  de Clare family
            • F1. John de Braose, Lord of Bramber and Gower, lvd:1198/1232, m. Margaret of Wales;  ==>  House of Wales
              • G1. William de Braose, Lord of Bramber and Gower, b:1220, m. Aline de Moulton;
                • H1. William de Braose, Lord of Bramber and Gower, lvd:1281/1326;

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