Bernard Brocas (rebel)
Encyclopedia
Sir Bernard Brocas was an English landowner and knight who was executed for his part in the Epiphany Rising
.
He was the eldest son of Sir Bernard Brocas (1330–1395) of Clewer
, now part of Windsor
, in Berkshire
. He was married at a young age to Joan, the daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton (or Gilbert Banbury of Holybourne). They lived at Beaurepaire at Sherborne St John
in Hampshire
and had six chidren.
His father was a close friend of the Black Prince and Bernard jnr would have been acquainted as a child with the future Richard II. By 1390 he had entered the king's service and been knighted. In 1395 he inherited his father's estates but remained living in Beaurepaire. He also inherited the hereditary office of Master of the King's Buckhounds.
In 1400, after King Richard had been deposed by Henry IV, Brocas joined in a conspiracy known as the Epiphany Rising
to kill King Henry and restore Richard to the throne. The plot was foiled when details were leaked and the conspirators were chased westwards from Windsor Castle by an armed force. Brocas was captured in Cirencester and sent to the Tower of London. He was tried for treason, with three others, by Thomas FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel
and condemned to death. He was beheaded at Tyburn (or possibly Cheapside) on 5 February 1400, and buried in the Franciscan Friary Church in London.
King Henry allowed the family estate to be inherited by Brocas' eldest son William, a future MP and High Sheriff for Hampshire.
Epiphany Rising
The Epiphany Rising was a failed rebellion against Henry IV of England in January 1400.-Background:After the murder of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester in 1397, Richard II rewarded those who had supported him against Gloucester and the Lords Appellant with a plethora of new titles.Upon...
.
He was the eldest son of Sir Bernard Brocas (1330–1395) of Clewer
Clewer
Clewer is an ecclesiastical parish and region of Windsor making up three wards of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.-History:...
, now part of Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. He was married at a young age to Joan, the daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton (or Gilbert Banbury of Holybourne). They lived at Beaurepaire at Sherborne St John
Sherborne St John
Sherborne St John is a village and civil parish near Basingstoke in the English county of Hampshire.-History:The village was named in the Domesday book as Sireburne. It became Shireburna , Schyreburne and Shirebourne Decani, Shireburn St...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
and had six chidren.
His father was a close friend of the Black Prince and Bernard jnr would have been acquainted as a child with the future Richard II. By 1390 he had entered the king's service and been knighted. In 1395 he inherited his father's estates but remained living in Beaurepaire. He also inherited the hereditary office of Master of the King's Buckhounds.
In 1400, after King Richard had been deposed by Henry IV, Brocas joined in a conspiracy known as the Epiphany Rising
Epiphany Rising
The Epiphany Rising was a failed rebellion against Henry IV of England in January 1400.-Background:After the murder of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester in 1397, Richard II rewarded those who had supported him against Gloucester and the Lords Appellant with a plethora of new titles.Upon...
to kill King Henry and restore Richard to the throne. The plot was foiled when details were leaked and the conspirators were chased westwards from Windsor Castle by an armed force. Brocas was captured in Cirencester and sent to the Tower of London. He was tried for treason, with three others, by Thomas FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel
Thomas FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel
Thomas Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel and 10th Earl of Surrey, KG was an English nobleman, one of the principals of the deposition of Richard II, and a major figure during the reign of Henry IV.-Lineage:...
and condemned to death. He was beheaded at Tyburn (or possibly Cheapside) on 5 February 1400, and buried in the Franciscan Friary Church in London.
King Henry allowed the family estate to be inherited by Brocas' eldest son William, a future MP and High Sheriff for Hampshire.