Bernard Brocas (soldier)

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Sir Bernard Brocas (1330-1395) was a prominent commander in the English army during King Edward III's French campaigns of the Hundred Years War. He was also a close friend of the Black Prince and William of Wykeham.

Bernard was the son of the Master of the King's Horse, Sir John Brocas of Clewer in Berkshire. He grew up with the Black Prince at Windsor Castle, at a time of rebuilding by the Royal architect, William of Wykeham. It is said that, after a scandalous first marriage, the Prince was going to arrange for Bernard to marry his cousin, the Fair Maid of Kent; but when she professed her love for Edward, he decided to marry her himself instead. As compensation, he found Bernard a great heiress, Mary des Roches (a relative of Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester), to wed. Bernard and Prince Edward fought at the Battles of Poitiers, Crécy and Nájera together. Bernard helped settle Aquitaine after the Peace of Bretigny and was appointed Constable there. It is said that he chopped off the head of the King of Morocco, but the story seems to be apocryphal.

In England, Sir Bernard acted as Queen's Chamberlain for Anne of Bohemia. He lived at Clewer Brocas Manor in Berkshire, and Beaurepaire in Sherborne St John and Roche Court near Fareham, both in Hampshire. He was a great patron of Southwick Priory. He married three times and had at least five children, amongst them, Sir Bernard Brocas II. He died on 20 September 1395 and was buried in St Edmund's Chapel in Westminster Abbey where his fine effigial monument can still be seen today.

The name Brocas lives on in the name Viscount Brocas, one of the subsidiary titles of the Earl Jellicoe.