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Joseph Bradney

{{Short description|British soldier, historian and archaeologist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox military person

|name= Joseph Alfred Bradney

|image= Joseph Alfred Bradney, ca 1887.jpg

|caption= Bradney as a lieutenant of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Militia in 1885.

|alt=

|birth_date= {{Birth date|1859|01|11|df=yes}}

|birth_place= Greet, Tenbury Wells, Shropshire, England

|death_date= {{Death date and age|1933|07|21|1859|01|11|df=yes}}

|death_place= Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales

|placeofburial=

|placeofburial_label=

|nickname=

|allegiance= {{UK}}

|branch= 23px British Army

|serviceyears= 1882–1918 ({{age|1882|1|1|1918|1|1}} years)

|rank= Colonel

|unit=

|commands= {{Plainlist|

}}

|battles= {{Plainlist|

}}

Colonel Sir Joseph Alfred Bradney, {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CB|DL|JP|FSA}} (11 January 1859 – 21 July 1933) was a British soldier, historian and antiquarian, best known for his multi-volume A History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans into Wales down to the Present Time.

Life

Joseph Bradney was born at Greet, Tenbury Wells, Shropshire, and educated at Harrow{{efn|At Harrow, two of Bradney's near contemporaries were Stanley Baldwin and Winston Churchill.{{sfn|Rimmer|2013|p=106}}}} and Trinity College, Cambridge.{{cite web|url=http://venn.lib.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search-2018.pl?sur=&suro=w&fir=&firo=c&cit=&cito=c&c=all&z=all&tex=BRDY877JA&sye=&eye=&col=all&maxcount=50|title= Joseph Bradney - University of Cambridge Alumni|publisher=Venn Library, University of Cambridge|access-date=15 May 2020}} He acquired, partly by inheritance and partly purchase, Tal-y-coed Court,{{efn|The Tal-y-coed estate was inherited from his mother, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Hopkins, of Ty Isha, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern, Monmouthshire's only Lord Mayor of London.{{sfn|Evans|1953|p=183}}}} an estate at Talycoed, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern, near Monmouth, where he settled at an early age.{{sfn|Davies|1986|p=7}} He entered the army, serving as captain of the Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers Militia from 1882 to 1892, and lieutenant-colonel commanding the 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment from 1892 to 1912.{{sfn|Evans|1953|p=183}} In the Territorial Force Reserve from 1912 to 1919, he served in France in 1917–18, despite being 57 years old.{{efn|Bradney's youngest son, Walter, was killed at Peronne during the German Spring Offensive in early 1918.{{sfn|Gray|1993|p=viii}}}}{{sfn|Gray|1993|p=viii}}{{sfn|Rimmer|2015|p=103}} In contravention of the King's Regulations, Bradney kept a diary throughout his period of active service.{{sfn|Rimmer|2015|p=106}}{{efn|Bradney's diary records his distress at his wife Rosa's mental breakdown which saw her confined to a mental hospital, Roehampton Priory, in late 1917; "poor Rosa. She was as full of delusions as ever";{{sfn|Rimmer|2015|p=112}} and his dismay at the death of his youngest son; "feel most depressed and full of sorrow".{{sfn|Rimmer|2015|p=119}}}}

Bradney was High Sheriff of Monmouthshire in 1889, Deputy lieutenant of the county, and a county councillor from 1898 to 1924,{{efn|Other sources suggest that he served until 1928.{{sfn|Collins|1945|p=86}}}}{{sfn|Gray|1993|p=vii}} serving as Chairman in 1921.{{sfn|Collins|1945|p=86}} He was also a governor and on the Council of the National Library of Wales and the National Museum of Wales. He was a member of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Wales.{{sfn|Collins|1945|p=86}} He was appointed a Companion of the Bath in 1911, and knighted in 1924.{{sfn|Gray|1993|p=viii}}{{cite DWB|id=s-BRAD-ALF-1859|title=Sir Joseph Alfred Bradney (Achydd Glan Troddi: 1859-1933), Historian of Monmouthshire|access-date=15 May 2020}}

He wrote extensively on the history of Monmouthshire, his major work being A History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans into Wales down to the Present Time, published in twelve volumes between 1904 and 1933.{{sfn|Davies|1986|p=3}}{{cite web|url=https://discover.library.wales/primo-explore/search?query=any,contains,Joseph%20Bradney&tab=tab4&search_scope=LSCOP_INLIBRARY&vid=44WHELF_NLW_NUI&mfacet=creator,include,Bradney,%20Joseph%20Alfred,1&lang=en_US|title= Joseph Bradney Papers|publisher=National Library of Wales|access-date=15 May 2020}} A final volume, drawing on his notes, was published posthumously. The books have been described as a "monumental survey, extensively illustrated and containing dozens of pedigrees, [which remains] a basic reference work essential for the serious study of local history or genealogy in Monmouthshire." He shared an interest in vulgar limericks with the antiquarian Egerton Phillimore though Bradney's letters to Phillimore were often written in Latin.{{cite web|url=https://archives.library.wales/index.php/letters-received-from-joseph-bradney-monmouth|title= Egerton Phillimore Papers - Letters received from Joseph Bradney, Monmouth|publisher=National Library of Wales|access-date=15 May 2020}}

He was married twice, first to Rosa Jenkins (d. 1927), with whom he had three sons and two daughters,{{sfn|Rimmer|2015|p=103}} and then to Florence Prothero. A Latin tablet in the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern records his achievements.{{sfn|Newman|2000|pp=296-7}}

Works

  • Genealogical memoranda relating to the families of Hopkins of Llanfihangel Ystern Llewern, Co. Monmouth, and Probyn of Newland, Co. Gloucester, 1889
  • A History of Monmouthshire: From the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time, 4 vols, London: Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke, 1904-1933
  • (ed.) The diary of Walter Powell of Llantilio Crossenny in the county of Monmouth, gentleman 1603-1654, 1907
  • (ed.) Llyfr Baglan : or The book of Baglan, by John Williams, London: Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke, 1910
  • A History of the Free Grammar School in the Parish of Llantilio-Crosseny in the County of Monmouh, 1924

''A History of Monmouthshire''

{{main|A History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans into Wales down to the Present Time}}

Bradney's History comprised twelve volumes, divided by the traditional administrative areas of Hundreds. The work covered six of the seven hundreds of Monmouthshire.

  • Volume I Part 1, The Hundred of Skenfrith, (1904) OCLC 896129125{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896129125|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time [Vol. 1], Part 1, [Vol. 1], Part 1|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=896129125|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume I Part 2, The Hundred of Abergavenny, (1906), OCLC 895940655{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/895940655|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time [Vol. 1], Part 2, [Vol. 1], Part 2|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=895940655|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume II Part 1, The Hundred of Raglan, (1911), OCLC 895940653{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/895940653|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol. 2, [Part 1], Vol. 2, [Part 1]|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke|oclc=895940653|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume II Part 2, The Hundred of Trelech, (1913), OCLC 895939552{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/895939552|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol. 2, [Part 2], Vol. 2, [Part 2]|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke|oclc=895939552|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume III Part 1, The Hundred of Usk, (1921) OCLC 502610834{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502610834|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol 3, pt. 1 Vol 3, pt. 1|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=502610834|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume III Part 2, The Hundred of Usk, (1923), OCLC 502610826{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502610826|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time 3, Pt 2. 3, Pt 2.|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=502610826|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume IV Part 1, The Hundred of Caldicot, (1929), OCLC 896116356{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896116356|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol. 4, Part 1. Vol. 4, Part 1.|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=896116356 |access-date=9 June 2019|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume IV Part 2 The Hundred of Caldicot, (1932), OCLC 502610829{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502610829|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol. 4, pt. 2, Vol. 4, pt. 2|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell Hughes and Clarke|oclc=502610829|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Four volumes consisting of a List of Subscribers, Addenda and Corrigenda, and Indices of Names and Places.{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18914396|title=The history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time.|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 2019|publisher=Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke|oclc=18914396 |access-date=9 June 2019|via=Open WorldCat}}

Between 1991 and 1993, the history was reprinted by Academy Books, and subsequently the Merton Priory Press, as an 80% sized facsimile. The work was arranged slightly differently to the original history. The indices were included in their respective Parts and a fifth volume, which covers the last Hundred of Newport, was compiled from Bradney's manuscripts by medieval historian Dr Madeleine Gray.[https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/persons/madeleine-gray Madeleine Gray] The re-ordered works were:

  • Volume 1 Part 1, The Hundred of Skenfrith, (1991) {{ISBN|1873361092}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/669714197|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time Vol. 1,pt. 1, Vol. 1,pt. 1|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1991|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=669714197|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 1 Part 2a, The Hundred of Abergavenny, (1992), {{ISBN|9781873361122}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896118883|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 1. Part 2a, Vol. 1. Part 2a|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1991|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=896118883|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 1 Part 2b, The Hundred of Abergavenny, (1992), {{ISBN|9781873361139}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60103879|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 1. Pt. 2b, the hundred of Abergavenny (Part 2)|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1992|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=60103879|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 2 Part 1, The Hundred of Raglan, (1992) {{ISBN|9781873361153}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59890882|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 2. Pt. 1, the hundred of Raglan|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1992|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=59890882|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 2 Part 2, The Hundred of Trelech, (1992), {{ISBN|9781873361160}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59924501|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 2. Pt. 2, the hundred of Trelech|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1992|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=59924501|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 3 Part 1, The Hundred of Usk, (1993), {{ISBN|9781873361177}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896118895|title=A history of Monmouthshire: from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 3. Part 1, Vol. 3. Part 1|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1993|publisher=Academy Books|oclc=896118895|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 3 Part 2, The Hundred of Usk, (1993), {{ISBN|9780952000938}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896061723|title=A history of Monmouthshire, from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 3. Part 2, Vol. 3. Part 2|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1993|publisher=Merton Priory Press|oclc=896061723|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 4 Part 1, The Hundred of Caldicot, (1994), {{ISBN|9781873361160}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59814982|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 4, Pt. 1, Vol. 4, Pt. 1|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1994|publisher=Merton Priory|oclc=59814982 |access-date=9 June 2019|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 4 Part 2 The Hundred of Caldicot, (1994), {{ISBN|9780952000952}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/896061771|title=A history of Monmouthshire from the coming of the Normans into Wales down to the present time. Vol. 4. Part 2, Vol. 4. Part 2|first=Joseph Alfred|last=Bradney|date=9 June 1994|publisher=Merton Priory Press|oclc=896061771|via=Open WorldCat}}
  • Volume 5 The Hundred of Newport, (1993).{{cite book |last1=Bradney |first1=Joseph Alfred |editor1-last=Gray |editor1-first=Madeleine |title=A history of Monmouthshire. Volume 5. The Hundred of Newport |date=1993 |publisher=South Wales Record Society |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-950867-67-5 |url=https://journals.library.wales/view/1044290/1044493/7#?xywh=-670%2C1494%2C4485%2C2110 |access-date=24 October 2024 |chapter=Introduction}}

Volume 5 contains an Introduction by Dr Gray which includes a biography of Bradney, her response to the criticism of his History of Monmouthshire by local historian Canon E.T. Davies{{efn|Published as {{harvnb|Davies|1986}}}} and her critique of Bradney's writings.

Footnotes

{{notes}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Sources

  • {{Cite book

|last = Collins | first = William James Townsend

|title=Monmouthshire Writers: A Literary History and Anthology

|year=1945

|publisher=R. H. Johns Ltd.

|location= Newport

|oclc=236089162

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Deneire|first=T.&B.

|title=Nights in Flanders. Joseph Alfred Bradney, Latin Poet of the Great War

|year=2019

|publisher=Self-published book

|location=S.L.

|isbn=9781794740488

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Davies|first=Ebenezer Thomas |author-link=E. T. Davies

|title=Bradney's "History of Monmouthshire": An Assessment

|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17776795

|year=1986

|publisher=Regional Publications

|location=Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

|isbn=0906570212

|oclc=17776795

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Evans|first=Cyril James Oswald

|title=Monmouthshire: Its History and Topography

|year=1953

|publisher=William Lewis Printers

|location=Cardiff

|oclc=2415203

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Bradney|first=Joseph

|author-link=Joseph Bradney

|editor=Madeleine Gray

|title= The Hundred of Newport

|series= A History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans into Wales down to the Present Time

|volume=5

|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/29008842

|year=1993

|publisher=Academy Books

|location=London

|isbn=9780950867670

|oclc=29008842

|ref={{sfnRef|Gray|1993}}

}}

  • {{Cite book

|last=Newman|first=John

|author-link=John Newman (architectural historian)

|series=The Buildings of Wales

|title=Gwent/Monmouthshire

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=knRf4U60QjcC&q=The+Buildings+of+Wales:+Gwent/Monmouthshire&pg=PA2

|year=2000

|publisher=Penguin

|location=London

|isbn=0-14-071053-1

}}

  • {{cite journal

| last=Rimmer |first=David

| year=2013

| title=The County Histories of Monmouthshire and Gwent

| journal = The Monmouthshire Antiquary

| issue=XXIX

| publisher=Monmouthshire Antiquarian Society

| url = https://www.monmouthshireantiquarianassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2013-XXIX-rev1.pdf

| pages = 103–116

}}

  • {{cite journal

| last=Rimmer |first=David |author-mask=1

| year=2015

| title=Colonel Bradney: a Monmouthshire soldier's Great War

| journal = The Monmouthshire Antiquary

| issue=XXXI

| publisher=Monmouthshire Antiquarian Society

| url = https://www.monmouthshireantiquarianassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2015-XXXI-rev1-3.pdf

| pages = 103–124

}}

External links

  • {{UK National Archives ID}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bradney, Joseph}}

Category:1859 births

Category:1933 deaths

Category:People educated at Harrow School

Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge

Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath

Category:Deputy lieutenants of Monmouthshire

Category:Monmouthshire Regiment officers

Category:19th-century British historians

Category:English archaeologists

Category:Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London

Category:History of Monmouthshire

Category:Welsh justices of the peace

Category:High sheriffs of Monmouthshire

Category:Military personnel from Shropshire

Category:20th-century British historians