Brice family

The Brice family is a historic English family whose documented presence in Somerset extends back to at least the late thirteenth century. The family became particularly associated with Dinnington, Chard, and Kingstone Allowenshay, and held the lordship of the manor of Dinnington. Its principal seat was Dinnington Manor House, now known as Frog Farm, while the parish church of St Nicholas in Dinnington preserves monuments and tombs connected with members of the family. The surviving record places the family within the landed society of the West Country rather than within the modern commercial meaning of a brand or corporate organization. A Henry Brice appears in deeds connected with Glastonbury around 1260. In the fourteenth century, John Brice is recorded as having fought and died at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, and his son William Brice is associated with the English campaign at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. By 1322, the family had established itself as an important landholding presence in Dinnington, where it remained prominent for several centuries. The Brices strengthened their social and genealogical position through marriages with other established families. They were connected through the female line with the Spencers, the Every baronets, and the Worthington family of Worthington Hall. Sixteenth-century marriages involving the Spencer, Worthington, and Every families also helped preserve or extend the family's heraldic and landed connections. Hugh Brice, who married Elizabeth Spencer, received a grant of arms in 1573. Later descendants could, through heraldic heiresses including Joan Every and Dorothy Worthington, have grounds to quarter Brice arms with those of the Every and Worthington families. The family's fortunes declined after its support for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War and the subsequent Interregnum. Worthington Brice, his son John Brice, and their cousin Simon Every incurred severe fines for their Royalist activities. These penalties illustrate the financial and political consequences faced by landed families that opposed Parliament and Oliver Cromwell's government. The available account does not establish a precise date for the family's later decline, nor does it provide evidence about the present legal or social status of the family. The Brice family is therefore best understood as a historical Somerset lineage documented through property, military service, marriage alliances, heraldry, and memorials rather than as an operating commercial brand.

The Brice family is recorded in Somerset from at least the late thirteenth century. A Henry Brice appears in deeds associated with Glastonbury around 1260, providing the earliest specific reference cited for the lineage. During the fourteenth century, the family participated in England's military aristocracy: John Brice is said to have fought and died at Crécy in 1346, while his son William fought at Poitiers in 1356. By 1322, the Brices had established themselves as major landowners in Dinnington, and their local importance continued through subsequent generations. The family's principal territorial associations were with Dinnington, Chard, and Kingstone Allowenshay in Somerset. The Brices held the position of lords of the manor of Dinnington, and Dinnington Manor House served as the family seat. The house is now known as Frog Farm. The parish church of St Nicholas at Dinnington contains surviving Brice monuments and tombs, providing material evidence of the family's long local presence. Marriage was an important means by which the Brices maintained their position among the landed families of England. The family is described as being related through the maternal line to the Spencers, the Every baronets, and the Worthingtons of Worthington Hall. In the sixteenth century, Hugh Brice married Elizabeth Spencer, and their family connections were followed by later marriages into the Worthington and Every families. Hugh Brice received a coat-of-arms grant in 1573. The arms are described as a black shield bearing a gold passant griffin, with a crest depicting an ermine lion's head pierced by a gold arrow. Variations in the coloring of the arrow are recorded, including blue, gold, or combinations of those colors. The political upheavals of the seventeenth century damaged the family's fortunes. The Brices supported the Royalist side during the English Civil War, placing them in opposition to Parliament and, during the Interregnum, to the government associated with Oliver Cromwell. Worthington Brice, his son John, and their cousin Simon Every were subjected to severe fines. Worthington Brice was penalized for entering the King's Chamber during the conflict, while John Brice was fined for fighting as a Cavalier. The cited account identifies these penalties as a cause of the family's decline in fortune. The notable individuals associated with the family include medieval soldiers, local officeholders, landowners, and figures connected with London civic life. Robert Bryce served as reeve of Glastonbury in 1447; Sir Hugh Brice was Mayor of London in 1485–1486; and William Brice served as reeve of Longbridge Deverill in 1536–1537. These records show that the family’s activities extended beyond Somerset landholding into local administration and national military or civic networks. The available reference material does not establish a continuous modern genealogy or confirm the family's current institutional status.

• 1573

  Grant of arms to Hugh Brice

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  Hugh Brice, husband of Elizabeth Spencer, received the coat-of-arms grant associated with the family.

• 1485

  Sir Hugh Brice becomes Mayor of London

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  Sir Hugh Brice served as Mayor of London from 1485 to 1486.

• 1447

  Robert Bryce serves as reeve of Glastonbury

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  Robert Bryce is listed as reeve of Glastonbury, demonstrating the family's involvement in local administration.

• Earliest cited Somerset record

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  Henry Brice is mentioned in deeds connected with Glastonbury, providing the earliest specific date cited for the family's presence in Somerset.

• Established as major Dinnington landowners

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  The Brices had established themselves as significant landowners in Dinnington and became associated with the lordship of the manor.

• John Brice dies at Crécy

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  John Brice is recorded as having fought and died at the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War.

• William Brice fights at Poitiers

  [1]Brice familyen.wikipedia.org

  William Brice, identified as John Brice's son, is recorded as having fought at the Battle of Poitiers.

A historical English landed family and genealogical lineage, not a commercial product brand.

• Support for the Royalist causeStrategy

  Background

  During the English Civil War, members of the Brice family and their relatives supported the monarchy against Parliament and later faced penalties during the Interregnum.

  Action taken

  Worthington Brice, John Brice, and Simon Every took positions or actions identified with the Royalist and Cavalier side.

  Aftermath

  The associated fines contributed to the family's decline in fortune. The available source does not give a precise date or quantified value for the penalties.

  Source

1. 1Brice familyen.wikipedia.org