William de Braose, Third Lord of Bramber (1135-1179)
Phillip died in 1137, with his son, another William, (ten points for originality there, guys) taking over. William was married to Bertha, daughter to Miles of Gloucester. It was their marriage that increased the de Braose holdings, and gave the family control of Brecon and Abergavenny. Miles’ heir became a monk, and four more sons died in quick succession, leaving Bertha as the unexpected heiress to the de Braose’s land.
William was appointed by King Stephen to guard the border between England and Wales (called the Welsh Marches). During the Civil War known as “The Anarchy”, William fought under the banner of King Stephen, against the King’s cousin Matilda, the Holy Roman Empress, and was present when the peace treaties ending the war were signed at Lewes. After Stephen’s death, William accompanied King Henry II (the son of Empress Matilda) in France and Ireland, and later served as the Sheriff of Herefordshire.
By 1175, William and Bertha’s son, yet another William (they were just being lazy at this point), had acquired vast property in England, Wales, AND Normandy. To this day, Welsh folklore still speaks of the next William’s terrible reputation, and the bloodthirsty deeds which earned him such dark infamy.
