Guy de Bryan, 1st Baron Bryan


Guy de Bryan, 1st Baron Bryan, KG was an English military commander and Admiral.

Origins

He was the son of Sir Guy de Bryan , of Walwyn's Castle in Pembrokeshire and Torbryan in Devon he was sometime before 1319.

Career

He served on the English side in the Second War of Scottish Independence and in France and Flanders during the Hundred Years' War. In 1341, he was made Warden of the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, and Governor of St Briavel's Castle, the seat of the Warden, which offices he held until his death.
On August 26, 1346, he was named a Knights Bachelor.
In 1349, he was temporarily Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and in 1350 was granted an annuity of 200 marks for bearing the King's Standard against the French at Calais. From 25 November 1350, he was summoned to Parliament and may thereby be held to have been created Baron Bryan. On 1 March 1356 he was appointed Admiral of the West a post he held till 18 July 1360 under Edward III of England. In 1361, he was Ambassador to Pope Innocent VI. Following the death of Sir John Chandos on 31 December 1369, he was made a Knight of the Garter. On 3 May 1370, he was once again appointed Admiral of the West until 6 October 1372.

Marriages and children

He married twice and left children by his second wife only:
Bryan on 17 August 1390. Although he had a tomb in Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, he was buried at Slapton Parish Church, Devon.

Succession

His executrix was his daughter-in-law Alice and his co-heiresses were his granddaughters Phillipe and Elizabeth. Any barony that may be held to have been created by the writ of 1350 fell into abeyance between these granddaughters. Sir Thomas Bryan assumed his arms at a later date.

Offices held