William de Braose, Third Lord of Bramber (born 1112 in Brecon) (d. ca. 1180/1182) was the eldest son of Philip de Braose, Second Lord of Bramber.

Lineage

William was born into a second generation English Norman dynasty holding Lordships and land in Sussex at Bramber, also at Totnes in Devon and Radnor and Builth in the Welsh Marches of Wales. He maintained his Sussex lands and titles and extended St Mary's, Shoreham and contributed to a priory at Sele, West Sussex. His mother was Aenor Fitz Judhel of Totnes.

Further Expansion Though Marriage and Wealth

He also inherited one half of the honour of Barnstaple in Devon, paying a fee of 1000 marks for the privilage.

William married Bertha de Pitres, daughter of Miles of Gloucester, Earl of Hereford. Through this marriage, William acquired lordships of Brecon and Abergavenny in 1166 because Bertha's four brothers all died young without heirs.

These vast land holdings greatly expanded the territorial power and income of the de Braose dynasty. They now held the Middle March with extensive interests in Sussex and Devon.

William's younger brother Phillip accompanied King Henry II to Ireland, receiving in 1172 the honour of Limerick.

Marcher Power and Titles

In 1174, William became sheriff of Hereford. He died in about 1180 and was succeeded as Lord of Bramber by his son, William. He had also fathered two daughters, Maud and Sibilla, who married well and possibly a later son, named John.

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