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William de Broase, who seems to have had quite a reputation in his
formative years, was the father of five children, three sons and two daughters who all but
the eldest lived at the castle in Bramber amid much pomp and luxury. After atoning for his
earlier conduct William grew to be a very wealthy and popular man, much admired by local
people and other lords of equal rank. From all accounts he was doing quite well, until his
wealth and popularity drew the attention of King John, who's jealousy lead to the ruin the
popular Lord of Bramber. For William de Braose was one of a group
of confederate barons at the time who took an important role in trying to get a better
administration of the laws and fairer dealings in public affairs. Considering the
political atmosphere at the time this would not have been and easy job, for men with any
less power then that of baron to try to even attempt to do, because of this King John who
in the end would have been the one to loose out wanted to make an example of this man. He
could have gone the whole hog and seized de Braose himself, he desisted from this knowing
full well that the popularity of the man would result in all of Sussex taking up arms
against him. So hatching another plot, he sent his equerry Sir Peter Maulue, to Bramber in
order to demand of the Lord his children, as hostages in order to secure his good
behaviour in the future. When de Braose of course refused this suggestion the King swore
he would be revenged for such an insult and ordered an army to march against Bramber. |
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