illiam de Braose (Briouze) was a Norman baron who inherited the area of Becknock in Wales. He dealt with the Welsh chieftains extremely badly. In 1173 the Welsh chieftain Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal captured Abergavenny castle but quickly returned it to the king's possession. In return de Braose invited the chieftain to an evening of entertainment but instead captured and killed him and those he had brought with him. William then captured the chieftain's castle, taking his wife and killed his son. Again in 1196, when another chieftain was invited to peace talks, de Braose arrested and murdered him. William was a supporter of King John until 1210 when something happened and he had to flee from England to Ireland. John took the opportunity to visit Ireland looking for William and receive homage from the Irish Chieftains. William de Braose escaped but his wife and son were captured. John had the woman and boy transported to Windsor Castle where they were put in a dungeon and starved to death.Biography
Biography
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Braose, William de
| Born | Born At | ||
| Died | 1211 | Buried At |
illiam de Braose (Briouze) was a Norman baron who inherited the area of Becknock in Wales. He dealt with the Welsh chieftains extremely badly. In 1173 the Welsh chieftain Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal captured Abergavenny castle but quickly returned it to the king's possession. In return de Braose invited the chieftain to an evening of entertainment but instead captured and killed him and those he had brought with him. William then captured the chieftain's castle, taking his wife and killed his son. Again in 1196, when another chieftain was invited to peace talks, de Braose arrested and murdered him. William was a supporter of King John until 1210 when something happened and he had to flee from England to Ireland. John took the opportunity to visit Ireland looking for William and receive homage from the Irish Chieftains. William de Braose escaped but his wife and son were captured. John had the woman and boy transported to Windsor Castle where they were put in a dungeon and starved to death.Event Location Map (click image to view)
Family Tree Details
Braose, William de ( - d.1211)
Timeline
1175
Abergavenny Castle was captured from William de Braose by Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal, a Welsh Chieftain. The castle was restored to Braose by Sitsyllt and the Chieftain was invited to a feast to celebrate its return. Instead of a friendly meeting Braose had Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal and his guests murdered.
1202
Aug 1
Arthur of Brittany and the Lusignans had laid siege to Mirabeau Castle trapping Eleanor of Aquitaine inside. King John launched a rescue mission to free her. Arthur was captured by William de Braose and was handed over to King John. Many other important knights were also captured and it was an important and famous victory for the English king. Those that were captured were treated badly by King John. He could have ransomed them for their freedom and made a lot of money, instead he kept them prisoner locked in dungeons. Some he had shipped to England and imprisoned. Arthur was sent to the dungeon in the castle at Falaise in Normandy.
1205
William de Braose, King John's favourite, was granted the three castles of White, Grosmont and Skenfrith.
1208
King John suspected that the loyalty of some barons towards the Crown was not strong so demanded they provide hostages to ensure they did not rise up against him. William de Braose was one of these barons. When a messanger arrived at Bramber Castle from the King with demands to hand over his children William de Braose refused stating that he could not trust the King with their safety. Together with his family William fled to Ireland.
1210
Jun 10
John landed at Waterford looking for the rebel baron William de Braose who had fled to Ireland. John took the opportunity to visit his lands in Ireland receiving homage from the Irish Chieftains. de Braose fled but his wife and son were captured, taken back to England and starved to death in Windsor Castle.