Father: Philip de Braose

Mother: Aanor

"Gillian de Merle, daughter of Philip le Breos'" granted "la Burgh” in Annington to Durford Abbey
(c 1161 or later)  - Durford Abbey Cartulary no 65

In 1144 Fulco de Merle witnessed a Sele charter of William de Braose II. If this is not Gillian's husband, he is likely to be either his father or brother. This Fulco is identified with Foulques du Merle, baron of Messai, lord of Couvrigny whose great-great grandson became marshal of France and was granted Briouze when the last of the original Braose family left (1304-6).

Gillian's branch of the Merles continued to hold land at Annington. The village disappeared but St Botolph's church remains. (right)

Herbert de Merle held a moiety of Annington in 1214 - Cur. Reg. R. vii. 193, 263, 318 (via VCH Sussex)

William Merlot of Annington exchanged “la Burgh” with Durford Abbey for rents from his manor of “Lighe” (late 13th century) - Durford Abbey Cartulary no 157

William is also at Annington 1260 (Sele Chartulary p95) and 1279 (Suss. Fines, ii (S.R.S. vii), p. 104.)

William de Merle is recorded as a knight serving for William de Braose in 1277. (Knights of Edwd I)

In the 1296 Subsidy Roll Agatha, "Relicta le Merl", (widow of Le Merle), pays 11s 1 1/2d subsidy for land in Annington. William Merlot, possibly her son, also pays 1s 10 ¾ d there.

Agatha de Merle still held land at Annington in 1300, described as 1⁄2 knight's fee. (Westm. Abbey Mun. 4072; via VCH Sussex)

The arms shown are those associated with the French branch of the family. The 17th century Marlott family of Mundham in Sussex, who claimed descent from a 12th century William Merlot, used a similar design, substituting mullets (five pointed stars) for the cinquefoils and adding a label of three points.