(Redirected from Reginald de Braose)
'Reginald de Braose, 9th
Baron Abergavenny' (born 1182) in
Bramber,
Sussex,(died June
1228 in
Brecon) was the youngest son of
William de Braose, 7th Baron Abergavenny and Matilda, also known as Maud, de St. Valery and Lady de Lahaie (born 1148-1155), who had produced three sons, William, Giles and Reginald. The de Braoses were loyal to
King Richard I but grew in power under
King John of England. The dynasty was in conflict with
John of England towards the end of his reign and almost lost everything.
Reginald de Braose was a scion of the powerful
Marcher family of de Braose, helped manage its survival and was also related by marriage to the
Welsh Princes of Wales. He was born at Bramber in 1182.
Magna Carta Rebel
He supported his brother
Giles de Braose in his rebellions against King
John. Both brothers were active against the King in the Baron's War. Neither was present at the signing of
Magna Carta in June 1215 because at this time they were still rebels who refused to compromise.
Royal Acquiesence & Welsh Vassal
King John acquiesced to Reginald's claims to the de Braose estates in Wales in May
1216. Reginald became Lord of
Brecon,
Abergavenny,
Builth and held other Marcher Lordships but was also very much a vassal of the Welsh leader
Llewelyn Fawr, Prince of
Gwynedd who became his father-in-law in 1222 when Reginald married Llywelyn's daughter,
Gwladus Ddu, known as Black Gwladys due to her raven hair.
Henry III restored Reginald to favour and the Bramber estates (confiscated by King John) in
1217.
Welsh Conflict
At this seeming betrayal, Rhys and Owain, Reginald's Welsh nephews who were Princes of
Deheubarth, were incensed and they took
Builth, except the castle.
Llywelyn Fawr also became angry and his forces besieged
Brecon. Reginald eventually surrendered to Llewelyn and gave up Seinhenydd (
Swansea).
By
1221 they were at war again, with Llewelyn again laying siege to
Builth. The siege was relieved by
King Henry III's forces. From this time on Llewelyn tended to support the claims of Reginald's nephew
John de Braose concerning the de Braose lands in Wales.
Reginald was a witness to the re-issue of
Magna Carta by
King Henry III in
1225.
He died two or three years later in 1227 or 1228 in Brecon and was succeeded by his son, the ill-fated
William de Braose, 10th Baron Abergavenny. He is buried at
Brecon Cathedral. His daughter Matilda was the wife of
Rhys Mechyll,
Prince of Deheubarth.