Margaret de Braose, Lady of Trim facts for kids

Margaret de Braose, Lady of Trim (died after 1255), was an important noblewoman from England and Wales. She was the daughter of William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber, a powerful lord who controlled lands near the Welsh border. Her mother was the famous Maud de St. Valéry. Sadly, Maud and Margaret's eldest brother died in prison because King John of England was very angry with their family. Margaret later started a special religious place called the Hospital of St. John to remember her mother. Margaret was married to Walter de Lacy, who was the Lord of Trim Castle in County Meath, Ireland, and Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, England.

Margaret's Family Background

Margaret was the daughter of William de Braose, who was the 4th Lord of Bramber. He was a very powerful noble who owned lands and castles in the Welsh Marches, which were border areas between England and Wales. Her mother was Maud de St. Valéry. Margaret was said to have many brothers and sisters, though only eight of them are clearly recorded in history. Her grandparents on her father's side were William de Braose, 3rd Lord Bramber, and Bertha of Hereford. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Bernard de St. Valery and Matilda.

Marriage and Children

In November 1200, Margaret married Walter de Lacy. He was a very important lord who owned Trim Castle in County Meath, Ireland, and Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, England. He also had many other lands in Herefordshire. This marriage was very helpful for both families. Walter and Margaret's father both had castles and power in the Welsh borderlands and in Ireland. This meant they could help protect each other's interests in both places.

Margaret and Walter had at least six children together. Some of their known children were:

• Gilbert de Lacy (born around 1202 – died 1230). He married Isabel Bigod and had children.
• Pernel de Lacy (born around 1201 – died after 1288). She married William St. Omer first, and then Ralph VI de Toeni, and had children.
• Egidia de Lacy (born around 1205). She married Richard Mor de Burgh and had children.

Founding the Hospital of St. John

In 1208, Margaret's parents, William and Maud, lost the support of King John of England. The King took all of their castles in the Welsh borderlands. To escape King John's anger, Margaret's mother, Maud, and her eldest brother, William, went to Ireland. They found safety with Margaret and her family at Trim Castle.

However, in 1210, King John sent an army to Ireland. Maud and William tried to escape from Trim Castle. They were caught on the coast of County Antrim while trying to sail to Scotland. They were sent to England and sadly died in prison at Corfe Castle, Dorset, on King John's orders. Because Walter de Lacy had helped them, King John took away Walter's lands as punishment.

By 1215, Walter and Margaret were back in the King's good graces. Walter's lands were given back to him. As a sign of King John's favor, Walter was made the governor of Hereford Castle and the Sheriff of Hereford the next year. Margaret also received permission to start a religious house to honor her mother.

On October 10, 1216, just eight days before he died, King John gave Margaret land in the royal forest of Aconbury, Herefordshire. This land was for building the Hospital of St. John. King John sent instructions to her husband, Walter, in official letters. Margaret later had a long disagreement about her new foundation. She wanted it to be free from the control of the Knights Hospitaller, and this argument even involved the Pope.

Margaret died sometime after 1255. Her husband, Walter, had died in 1241. He left his many lands and titles to their granddaughters, Margery de Lacy and Maud de Lacy, Baroness Geneville. These granddaughters were the children of Margaret and Walter's son, Gilbert.