THE BRALEYS IN OLDE ENGLAND
In the Scutage of 1166 there is a Daniel de Brailegh* who was lord of the manors of Hellesdon and Brayley, the latter manor being in the parish of East Bucklord, Hundreds of South Molton, Devonshire, England, and who was required to furnish two men at arms, one for each manor. He is probably the son of William-filius-Rainald (or Fitz-Reynold) who being born about 1095 was in ward during his minority to his overlord Odo Fitz-Gomelin, a great Domesday tenant-in-chief in Devon. This William is referred to in the Furnell Family History as William de Brailia. Certainly he was lord of the manors of Brayley and Hellesdon. William married Hawise de Forneaux, daughter of Fulk de Forneaux of Kentinbere Devon, and halfsister of Allen de Forneaux, of Fenn-Attery Devon. William in turn was the son of Rainald (or Reynold) who in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror held the two manors under Odo Fitz-Gomelin, and who died in the First Crusade (about 1097?)
In the Red Book of the Exchequer, there is an Adam de Brailegh who in 1292 was sued with his wife, Joan, by another man concerning some land in the manor of Baggebere in Devonshire.
In the Calendar of Close Rolls and others are many references to Richard de Brailegh who in 1337 to 1347 was dean of the Cathedral of Exeter, a greedy and hated man. The British Exchequer has a letter from Richard to the Pope concerning mortmain. In the Monasticon of Exeter, he is referred to as "Richard de Brailegh IX".
One branch of the Brailey family settled, it is believed, in Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the 12th Century, where they are often called Bruley. Most of the Braleys or Brayleys or Braileys in England today live in Devonshire. In 1910 the distrubution was still centered in a few parts of Devon between Exeter and Barnstaple (the latter being some 15 miles from the ancient manor of Brayley — known today as Brayley-Barton and owned by Earl Fortensure).
The Coat of Arms of Bruley (also referred to as Braylye and Brayley arms) are illustrated, and seems to have been used mostly by the Worcestershire branch. White area is Ermine (black tail marks on white).
*Medieval spelling
Note: This is the first page of a document that was originally sent to my father, Alson2 E. Braley, in 1943, that also included a handwritten manuscript of the male line of his descent. I have included the line of descent information in the GED pages on this site. This material was prepared by a Harold E. Brailey, Jr. in 1943. He was a genealogy buff who was a Chemistry student at Columbia University in New York City where my father was a Professor and Medical Doctor. He sent the material in a handwritten manuscript and I have the original documents. To see his original transmittal note click here.
- Alson3 D. Braley, <abraley@att.net>
