Edward Braye

Sir Edward Braye (or Bray) (born by 1492–1558) was an English Royal Navy captain, Justice of the Peace, High Sheriff and MP.

He was born the son of John Braye of Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire and the younger brother of Edmund Braye. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1509.

He became a naval commander and was knighted in October, 1513 for his bravery at the Battle of Tournai and made captain of the Mary Rose. The following year he was made captain of the Magdaleyn of Founteraby.

He was a Justice of the Peace for Sussex from 1524 to 1540. In 1535 he purchased the Manor of Shere (including the Vachery) in Surrey from his elder brother, Sir Edmund Braye, to whom it had been bequeathed by his uncle Sir Reginald Braye. He was appointed High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex for 1539 and was JP for Surrey from 1554 to his death in 1558. He represented Surrey in Parliament as Knight of the Shire twice, Oct 1553 and Apr 1554, during the reign of Queen Mary.

He was made Lieutenant of Calais Castle (1541–1552), high treasurer for the army against France in 1545 and Constable of the Tower of London in 1556.

On his death he was buried in Cranleigh church. He had been married three times:firstly to Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Henry Lovell of Harting, Sussex (divorced); secondly to Beatrix, daughter of Ralph Shirley of Wiston, Sussex and the widow of Edward Elrington of London and thirdly to Jane, daughter of Sir Matthew Browne of Betchworth, Surrey and the widow of Sir Francis Poynings. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Edward Bray who also became an MP.

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