Maud de Braose

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Maud de Braose(1155-1210) was a wealthy heiress and the wife of William de Braose, 7th Baron Abergavenny, 4th Lord Bramber, a

powerful Marcher baron and court favourite of King John of England. She is also known in history as Moll Wallbee or Lady of La Haie.[1]

Contents

[edit] Life

She was born Maud de St.Valery in 1155 in Bramber, Suffolk, England, the only child of Reginald de St. Valery, who died in 1166. She inherited many castles in the Welsh Marches, including Brecon, Hay, Radnor, and Bradwardine.[2] Shortly after his death, Maud married William de Braose,7 th Baron Abergavenny, 4th Lord Bramber, who also held the lordships of Brecknock, Gower, Radnor, Builth, Glamorgan, Kington, Skenfrith, Briouze in Normandy, Grosmont, and White Castle. When King John of England ascended the throne in 1199, he became a court favourite and was also awarded the lordship of Limerick, Ireland. She and William had eight recorded children.

[edit] Children

  1. William de Braose (1175- 1210).Married Maud de Clare
  2. Giles de Braose Bishop of Hereford (1180-11 November 1215
  3. Reginald de Braose, 9th Baron Abergavenny(1178-9 June 1228). Married firstly Grecia de Briwere, and secondly after 1222, Gwladus Ddu, daughter of Welsh Prince Llewelyn Fawr.
  4. Matilda de Braose (1172- 29 December 1210). Married Gruffyd ap Rhys
  5. Margaret de Braose (1177-after 1255). Married Walter de Lacy, Sixth Baron Lacey of Trim Castle
  6. Annora de Braose (1190-1241. Married Hugh de Mortimer
  7. Loretta de Braose.Married Robert de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Leicester
  8. John de Braose (c.1180-1205). Married Amabil de Limesi

[edit] Emnity of King John

In 1208, William de Braose quarrelled with his friend and patron King John. The reason is not known but it is alleged that Maud made indiscreet comments regarding the murder of King John's nephew Arthur of Brittany. There was also a large sum of money (five thousand marks) de Braose owed the King. Whatever the reason, John demanded Maud's son William be sent to him as a hostage for her husband's loyalty. Maud refused, and stated loudly within earshot of the King's officers that" she would not deliver her children to a king who had murdered his own nephew."[3] Maud, upon realising her grave error, tried to make amends by sending Queen Isabella a herd of four hundred cattle. The King would not be mollified and quickly led a force to the Welsh border and seized all of the castles that belonged to Maud. Maud, William and her eldest son William fled to Ireland, where she found refuge at Trim Castle with the family of her daughter Margaret. In 1210, King John sent an expedition to Ireland. Maud and her son escaped but were apprehended on the Irish coast while trying to sail for Scotland.[4][5]

[edit] Corfe Castle

Maud and her son William were first imprisoned at Windsor Castle, but were shortly afterward transferred to Corfe Castle where they were walled alive inside the dungeon. Maud and William both starved to death. Maud de Braose features in many local myths and legends. There is one legend which says that Maud built the castle of Hay single handed in one night, carrying the stones in her apron.[6] She was also said to have been extremely tall and often donned armour while leading troops into battle.[7]

[edit] In fiction

A book entitled " Lady of Hay" was written by author Barbara Erskine. It is a highly fictional account of Maud's life simultaniously set in the past and in 20th century England where she was fictitiously reincarnated as a modern Englishwoman.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Complete Peerage
  2. ^ Thomas B. Costain"The Conquering Family",page 260.
  3. ^ Costain, page260-62
  4. ^ Costain, page262
  5. ^ History of Family of De Braose website
  6. ^ History of Family de Braose website
  7. ^ Costain, page260

[edit] Sources

  1. Thomas B. Costain "The Conquering Family" Published by Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1962