Reginald Bray

Sir Reginald Bray, KG
Arms of Sir Reginald Bray, KG
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 13 September 1486 – 24 June 1503
Monarch	Henry VII
Preceded by	Thomas Metcalfe
Succeeded by	John Mordaunt
Personal details
Born	1440 St. John Bedwardine, Worcestershire
Died	1503
Nationality	English
Spouse(s)	Katherine Hussey

Sir Reginald Bray KG (c. 1440 – 24 June 1503) was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under Henry VII, English courtier, and architect of the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey.

Sir Reginald was born in Worcester in around 1440, the second son of Sir Richard Bray, a surgeon, and educated at the Royal Grammar School Worcester. He worked as Margaret Beaufort's estate officer for twenty years, and had a leading role in the conspiracy to place Henry Tudor on the English throne.

Reginald was created a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Henry VII, and, later, a Knight of the Garter. He also became Treasurer and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1496 he was created Steward of the University of Oxford.

Surrey deed C.3273

Grant by Thomas, earl of Ormond, to Reginald Bray, knight, of the lordships or manors of Shire and Vachary in Craneley parish, for his life, reserving the advowson of Shire church and the right of entry into Vachary park to hunt, with easement for the said earl, his servants and horses when staying within the lordship of Shire; Reginald providing a chaplain called 'a chauntry prest' to officiate in the chapel of Vachary manor; with letter of attorney authorising John Westbroke to deliver seisin. 28 January, 1 Henry VII. Seal.

A new man, his most notable achievement in Government was the restructuring of the King's finances and as the administrator of such, including the King's will, from 1485 until his death, he was the equivalent of the Prime Minister.

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