William de Braose I - was born about 1049 in Brienze, Normandy, France and died in 1087 in Bramber, Sussex, England .

William married Agnes de St. Claire. Agnes was born about 1054 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. She was the daughter of Waldron de Saint Clare and Helen Le Bon. Agnes - Brydges edition of Collins' Peerage claims William de Braose was first married to Agnes, daughter of Waldron de Saint Clare but no evidence for this can be found. It may be an example of Bruce - Braose confusion.

According to L C Perfect, a 13th century genealogy in the Bibliothèque de Paris gives the name of his wife as Eve de Boissey, widow of Anchetil de Harcourt. There is a lot of evidence from contemporary charters that supports this view.

William - known in French as Guillaume de Briouze. his name is recorded in lists of those present at the Battle of Hastings. He became the first Lord of Bramber Rape by 1073 and built Bramber Castle. (Image: - remains of the gatehouse) William made considerable grants to the abbey of Saint Florent, Saumur to endow the foundation of Sele Priory near Bramber and a priory at Briouze. He continued to fight alongside King William in the campaigns in Britain, Normandy and Maine.

The Barons de Braose were a formidable force in medieval England and Wales. Their origins were in Briouze, Normandy and after 1066 the family settled in the Adur Valley of West Sussex, England. In Wales the spirit of conquest sustained them for 250 years. The terror of their reputation had few equals although they were themselves overwhelmed by injustice and tragedy several times.

The latest evidence for William is his presence at the consecration of his church at Briouze in 1093. In 1096 his son Philip was issuing charters. From this we can deduce that William died between 1093 and 1096.