He was the son of Reinoud II van Brederode and Yolanda de Lalaing. When he was three years old his father named him Bailiff of Hagestein. Just like his father Reinoud II and his uncle Gijsbrecht van Brederode, he was captured by Bishop David of Burgundy in 1470, but he managed to escape with some assistance and fled to Castle Batenstein. On 16 October 1473 he succeeded his father as the 10th Lord of Brederode. Walraven's succession ceremony was interrupted by his half-brothers, who were illegitimate however, leaving Walraven as the rightful successor. In 1486 he was knighted by Maximilian of Austria, and took a place in Maximilian's council. After the death of Maximilian, Walraven searched for a way to reinstate the rule of the Hook faction, which would lead to a new war. After several years, Walraven defected to the opposing faction, which would prove to be a good decision.