Edmund Braye, 1st Baron Braye facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edmund Braye
1st Baron Braye
Arms of Braye (modern): Argent, a chevron between three eagle's legs erased sable
Died	18 October 1539
Noble family	Braye
Spouse(s)	Jane Halliwell
Issue	John, Anne, Elizabeth, Frideswide, Mary, Dorothy, Frances
Father	John Braye

Two versions of arms of Bray (ancient): left: Gules, three bends vair, as sculpted on monument in Cobham Church, Kent, of Lord Bray's daughter Ann Bray, wife of Baron Cobham; right: with tinctures reversed Vair, three bends gules as engraved on monumental brass in Aldbury Church, Hertfordshire, of Elizabeth Bray, another of Lord Bray's daughters, wife of Sir Ralph Verney

This tomb in Cobham, Kent, shows Ann Bray, Lord Braye's daughter, with her husband George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham.

This brass in Aldbury Church, Hertfordshire, shows Elizabeth Bray, Lord Braye's daughter. You can see her family's coat of arms on her dress.

Edmund Braye, 1st Baron Braye (born around 1484 – died October 18, 1539) was an important English nobleman. He lived in Eaton Bray in Bedfordshire.

Who Was Edmund Braye?

Edmund Braye was the son of John Braye, who owned the land and manor of Eaton Bray in Bedfordshire. His younger brother was Sir Edward Braye. Edmund also inherited a lot of property from his uncle, Sir Reginald Bray. This was officially confirmed after a disagreement about the land was settled.

Edmund's Career and Achievements

Edmund Braye had an active public life. In 1513, he was knighted, which meant he was given the title "Sir."

He served as the Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1514. A sheriff was a very important local official, like a chief law enforcement officer. He also served as the Sheriff of Sussex and Surrey in 1522.

In 1529, King Henry VIII called him to join the House of Lords. This made him a peer, and he was given the title of Baron Braye. His title was "Baron Braye, of Eaton Bray in the County of Bedford."

The area of Eaton had a very old feudal barony, which was like a special land ownership title, based at Eaton Castle. After Edmund owned it, the place became known as "Eaton Bray" to tell it apart from other places with similar names.

Edmund Braye was also part of a special group from Bedfordshire who went with King Henry VIII to meet King Francois I of France. This famous meeting happened at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in June 1520. It was a huge, fancy event where the two kings showed off their wealth and power.

Family Life and Children

Edmund Braye married Jane Halwell (who died on October 24, 1558). She was the daughter and heiress of Sir Richard Halwell from Halwell in Devon. Her mother was Jane Norbury. The families of Jane's parents had their coats of arms combined, which was a common practice.

Edmund and Jane had one son and six daughters:

• John Braye, 2nd Baron Braye (died 1557): He was their oldest son and inherited his father's title. However, he died without having any children. After his death, his six sisters became his heirs.
• Anne Bray (Lady Cobham): She was the oldest daughter. She married George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham (who died in 1558). He was the lord of the manor of Cobham, Kent. You can see a beautiful statue of Anne and her husband on their tomb in St Mary Magdalene's Church in Cobham.
• Elizabeth Bray (died 1573): She was the second daughter. She married Sir Ralph Verney (1509–1546). They lived in Pendley in Tring, Hertfordshire. You can find special brass plaques with their family shields in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Aldbury, Hertfordshire. On her dress in the brass, you can see the combined coats of arms of her family and her husband's family. She later married Richard Catesby. Her sons included:
  • Edmund Verney (1528–1558): He was the oldest son and inherited his father's lands. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire twice.
  • Francis Verney (1531/4–1559): He was the fourth son. He also served as a Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire twice.
• Frideswide Bray: She married Sir Percyval Hart. He was an important official in King Henry VIII's household.
• Mary Bray: She married George Peckham.
• Dorothy Bray (around 1524–1605) (Lady Chandos): She was the youngest daughter. She married Edmund Brydges, 2nd Baron Chandos. Dorothy was a Maid of Honour to three of King Henry VIII's queens: Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.
• Frances Bray: She married Thomas Lefeild.

Death

Edmund Braye passed away in October 1539. His son, John Braye, 2nd Baron Braye, inherited his title and became the next Baron Braye.

Images for kids

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  Arms of Bray (ancient): Gules, three bends vair

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  Arms of Bray (ancient): Vair, three bends gules