Guy Bryan, 1st Baron Bryan, KG (born before 1319 and died 17 August 1390) was an English landowner, military and naval commander, courtier, diplomat, and administrator.
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Origins
Born sometime before 1319, he was the son of Sir Guy Bryan (died 1349), of Walwyn's Castle in Pembrokeshire and Torbryan in Devon, and his wife Joan Carew (died after 1347), daughter of Sir John Carew (died 1324) and his wife Joan Talbot. His paternal grandparents were Guy Bryan (died about 1307) and his wife Sibyl Sudeley nee Say, Daughter of William Say and Sybil Marshal.
Career
He served on the English side in the Second War of Scottish Independence and in France and Flanders during the Hundred Years' War. In 1339 he was made Steward of “Haveral” Castle in Pembrokeshire, followed in 1341 by appointment as Warden of the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, and Governor of St Briavel's Castle, the seat of the Warden, which offices he held until his death. The year 1341 also saw additional lands in Devon being granted, in particular the port town of Dartmouth, of which he was recognised as lord in 1343. He was also granted rights over the taxation of trade in London.
On 26 August 1346 he was named a Knight Bachelor. In 1349, he was temporarily Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and in 1350 was granted an annuity of 200 marks for bearing the King's Standard against the French at Calais. From 25 November 1350 onwards, he was regularly summoned to Parliament, by which he may be held to have been created Baron Bryan. Also in 1350, he was given free warren over his lands at Torbryan and Slapton. On 1 March 1356 he was appointed Admiral of the West, a post he held till 18 July 1360. In 1359 he acquired the manor of Northam and was also appointed Lord Steward of the Royal Household.