SIEUR DE BRAY

The name of the Sieur de Bray occurs on the Battle Abbey Roll; and although the authenticity of this celebrated record has in many instances been questioned, in this, the statement is confirmed by the fact of William De Bray being one of the subscribing witnesses to the Charter of the year 1088, conferred by the Norman on the Abbey. No grant of lands appears, however, in Domeaday Books to the Brays; but that the family supplied Sheriffs to Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and Bucks, between 1202 and 1273 is fully established. SIR RICHARD BRAY, the lineal descendant of the Norman knight, is said by some to have been of the Privy Council to Henry VI., but by others is called the King's Physician. By Margaret Sandes, his first wife, he had an only son, Sir John Bray, whose daughter and heiress, Margaret, wedded Sir William Sandys, afterwards Lord Sandys, of the Vine: and by Joan, his second wife, he had two other sons - I., SIR REGINALD BRAY, K.G., who was made a Knight Banneret at Bosworth, and who bore, in his arms, a thorn with a crown in the middle, in memory of his finding King Richard's crown in a bush, on the field of battle: and II., John Bray, Esq., who was buried in the chancel of Chelsea Church. This John had three sons - I, SIR EDMUND BRAY, Lord Bray, of Eaton Bray, co., Bedford, from whom derives Sarah, BARONESS BRAYE; II., SIR, EDWARD BRAY, of Vachery Park, Cranley, Surrey, ancestor of the Brays of Shere, in that county, now represented by EDWARD BRAY, Esq., of Shere; and III., SIR REGINALD BRAY, progenitor of the Brays of Barrington, co. Gloucester.

--(This name appears on the Battle Abbey roll)