Walter Devereux (born 1173)

Walter Devereux was an Anglo-Norman nobleman living during the reign of king Henry II of England and Richard I of England. The Devereux, along with the Baskervilles and Pichards, were prominent knightly families along the Welsh marches during the twelfth century, and linked to William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and the Braose and Lacy lordships of the region.^[1] William Devereux's descendants would later give rise to the Devereux Viscounts of Hereford and Earls of Essex.

Ancestry

Walter Devereux is descended from William Devereux^[2] who held land in Hereford and Gloucester at Domesday in 1086. William’s son, Walter Devereux of Lyonshall,^[2] gained control of Lyonshall Castle as the caput of the Devereux’s marcher lordship. Taking advantage of the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, Walter Devereux of Lyonshall and his son, Walter,^[2] increased their autonomy. As one of the prominent knightly families of the region, the Devereux became closely allied with the de Lacy, de Braose, de Longchamp, and Marshal families. When the Norman’s invaded Ireland in 1071 during the time of Walter’s son, John Devereux,^[2] the family established holdings there over the next three generations.

Biography

Walter Devereux was born in 1173, the son of John Devereux.^[3] His father died in 1187^[2] possibly from involvement in the Norman invasion of Ireland, and Walter’s lands and 2 castles (including Lyonshall) were taken into the hands of the king and possession of the sheriff of Hereford, William de Braose. Walter and his sons continued the involvement in Ireland, and in 1210 Walter Devereux was listed as responsible to John Marshal for 20 shillings of fees for the maintenance of soldiers ‘beyond the water that is called Stiuthe,' and 2 marks for those at Carrickfergus in Ireland^[4]

Walter Devereux came of age in 1194.^[2] His father had granted a church on his lands in Oxenhall, Gloucester, to the Knights Hospitaller in 1186, and on 27 October 1194 Walter Devereux filed an Assize of mort d'ancestor against the Order over 2 marks rent in Oxenhall.^[5][6]

About 1186 Walter had witnessed with his father the land grant of Maud de Hagarnel to the priory of Brecon.^[7] About 1190 Devereux granted 12 acres of land near Berrington (Hereford) to the same priory ‘for the love he bore his lord, William de Braose the younger.’^[8]

Marriage

Walter Devereux married Cecilia de Longchamp,^[2] daughter of Hugh de Longchamp.^{[3][lower-alpha 1]}

They had children:

• Stephen Devereux,^[2][3] his heir and a retainer of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
• John Devereux,^{[9][10][11][12][13]} Lord of Decies (Ireland) and enfoeffed by Thomas fitzAnthony,^[14] the loyal retainer of William Marshal. He also held lands in Hereford^{[lower-alpha 2]}
• Nicholas Devereux,^[15][16] Lord of Chanstone (Hereford), and Steward of Meath (Ireland) for Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath^{[lower-alpha 3]}

Death

Walter Devereux died about 1198,^[17] and possibly while fighting when England resumed its wars in France. Following the death of her husband, Cecilia began a series of legal fights to establish her dower rights which when added to the holdings of her eldest son, Stephen Devereux, provides an indication of the extent of the Devereux holdings at the time.

Walter’s ancestor, William Devereux, held Eastleach, Gloucester at Domesday in 1086. He had made grants in the region of East Leche, Gloucester on 23 July 1100 to St Peter’s of Gloucester.^[18] A review of the charters on 30 November 1215^[19] showed this to encompass the whole of the larger tithe of Lady ‘Sibillae de Evereus’ (Cecilia Devereux) in East Leche. Cecilia was granted a hearing in May 1198 for 20 October 1198 for her suit against Robert (Ralph) de Lechlade over half hide and 6 acres near Leche in Gloucester.^[20] In May of 1199 Hugh de Welles was put in the place of Master Ralph de Lechlade in the matter of the suit by Cecilia.^[21] Also involved were William son of ‘Regine’ and Henry of Frome. William de Lechlade was granted hearing at the same court if his health permits. The hearing was set for 8 July 1199, and on that day Hugh de Welles remained in place for Ralph de Lechlade who was bedridden with illness.^[22] As the matter progressed through the courts, William Prudhome was put in place of Cecilia Devereux on 8 November 1199 in her suit against the brothers, Ralph and William de Lechlade.^[23] On 23 April 1200 that suit was to be brought before the court upon the king’s return from Normandy.^[24] In May/June of 1200 Ralph and William put forward their countersuit over the land. The suit was again put on hold in early 1201 as Master Ralph of Leche was overseas with his master, John de Grey, Bishop of Norwich. The suit resumed on 19 November 2011 when Cecelia resumed her claim against William de Lechlade. She claims the land by right of her grandfather (ancestor), William Devereux, having held the land in the time of King Henry, the king’s father (ancestor). William de Lechlade claims the greater right of holding as William Devereux had given the land to his mother, Orenge. De Lechlade further indicated that Cecilia’s right was only that of dower.^[25] William de Lechlade then gave his place in the suit to his son, Thomas. On 15 January 1212 the final verdict was put on hold until after Easter as the jury had not been assembled due to illness of some of the participants, and a new date set for June 29. At this hearing the court found in favor of William de Lechlade, and that Cecilia could make no further claims.^[26] On 30 November 1216, Cecilia demised all of her remaining lands and men in Eastleche for 5 years to the monks of Bruerne.^[27] On 23 February 1220 Robert de Turville paid the court half a mark to summon Cecilia Devereux before the court regarding the warrant for a virgate of land in East Leche, Gloucester.^[28] On May 22 de Turville presented his claim and a charter demonstrating it. Cecilia acknowledged the charter, and they requested that the court permit them to come to an agreement.^[29] The point of contention was one portion of the land, which Robert de Turville was willing to yield, but the court would not allow this as he did not have the authority to do so without permission of his wife. The court recessed to allow this issue to be clarified.

Walter’s ancestor, William Devereux, also held land at Elnodestune, Herefordshire at Domesday in 1086. Cecilia put forward a claim in late 1201 on 27 acres of woods with pasture in Mescott, part of Alneston, as the heir of Roger Devereux, ‘uncle’ (great-uncle of her deceased husband) who held the land from Walter de Lacy. The court found in her favor, and validated her claim.^[30] In May of 1206, Sir Richard of Chandos, Sir John Bankinton, and Sir Geoffrey Ruff Jordan of Manington were dispatched to stop Reginald Dunhers from moving against the ancestral home of Cecilia Devereux, and that he was incapacitated and unable to be imprisoned in the tower of London for 1 year. The three knights were absolved of their responsibility. On the 25th of May, the dispute between Reginald Dunhers and Cecilia Devereux over land in Elnotheston was placed on hold due to Reginald’s illness, and the absence of his son, John Dunhers, in service with the king’s horse overseas.^[31] On 26 January 1222 Cecilia Devereux paid the court a half mark for a ‘pone’ at Easter involving the complaint of Richard Fulcon (Fulton) concerning 2 knight’s fees in ‘Alnathestun.’ ^[32] In Hilary Term (January to April) 1224 Richard, son of Godfrey Fulton, brought suit against Cecilia Devereux for one knight’s fee in Eylnathestona, and one knight’s fee in Puttelega (Putley).^[33] His claim was based on the land being held by Roger Devereux, his uncle, in the time of King Henry, grandfather of the King receiving a value of 20 shillings. Roger Devereux died without heirs and passed his rights to his sister, Sybil Devereux, and this subsequently passed to her son, Godfrey, and grandson, the complainant Richard Fulton. Cecilia countered his claims. Concerning the fee of Eylnathestona, she did not hold that fee directly, but as part of the holding of Walter de Lacy. Richard Fulton could not counter this and yielded this complaint. Concerning the fee of Puttelega, she denied holding a whole fee, but admitted possessing a third of a fee. Richard Fulton indicated that regardless of whether it is a third or a whole fee, this is the fee that corresponds to his ancestor's holding. Cecilia put forward that the court should deny his claim as Roger Devereux had two sisters, Orenge and Sybil, and they possess an equal claim. As the descendents of Orenge put forward no claim, she claims that she should not respond to the current complaint. Fulton countered that Orenge never married the man she was betrothed to, but that her children were by Parson Ralph de Lichelade and illegitimate. Cecilia put forward that it is true she did not marry her fiancée, but land was given her as dowery based on her relationship with Parson Ralph, and the rights passed to her children thereby establishing their legitimacy. The land passed to their son, Ralph, who gave it to his brother, William. Cecilia showed that she had sued William, and the king’s court found in their favor establishing their legitimacy. She called for the court to vouch this warranty, which was done, and the court found in favor of Cecilia.^[34] About 1235, a ‘Book of Fees’ was compiled for the military tenants of the Honour of Weobley held by Walter de Lacy. The list included William Devereux, grandson of Cecilia by her eldest son, Stephen, holding a half fee in (Lower) Hayton, Salop; and Cecilia Devereux and her son Nicholas holding four fees with William de Furches. Nicholas Devereux's holdings included Chanstone manor in Elnodestune, Hereford.

Walter’s ancestor, William Devereux, also had land at Putley at the time of Domesday in 1086.^[35][36] Cecilia put forward a claim on the church at Putley, which was granted by the court. In April of 1205 the Bishop of Hereford was summoned to appear before the court for his refusal to admit a suitable priest to this church. He defended himself saying that his clergy refused to do this as they claimed possession of the church, and requested the right to present their case.^[37] In June 1205 Hugh, Dean of Hereford, paid 2 marks for convening a court to hear his suit regarding the holding of Cecilia’s ancestral chapel at Putley. After the payment of an additional 90 shillings, Cecilia’s claim was set aside until the court could be convened.^[38] In 6 June 1206, the Bishop of Hereford and his attorney appeared before the court claiming that the church of Putley was their right, and that it had been granted to Cecilia Devereux only because the action was done quickly preventing them from presenting their case. They were granted a further hearing. On 26 November 1206 the canons of Hereford testified that they had had possession and use of the church at Putley for the past 9 years, and that it was a gift of the grandfather (ancestor) of Cecilia Devereux, William Devereux. They present William’s charter, and a charter of the Bishop of Hereford confirming the gift. The canons stated that when they were informed of the grant of Cecilia’s claim, they went to the sheriff of Hereford requesting her claim be put on hold and were informed this would require a warrant of the king. They submitted an assize explaining their position, and paid 12 shillings for the court to be summoned. The sheriff did not have the jury ready as of this date, and the case was called again on 26 August 1206. At this time the matter was settled by examination of the charter of William Devereux conferring it upon the canons, and their demonstrated possession of the church 60 years previously.^[39] Cecilia Devereux was fined 3 marks, and she released her claims and those of her future heirs. The canons paid Cecilia 8 marks, and granted her the privilege of having her name celebrated in Hereford Cathedral at the annual thanksgiving to benefactors, and daily in the church of Putley’s services.^[40]

Notes

General References

• Holden, Brock W. Lords of the Central Marches. (Oxford; Oxford University Press, 2008)
• Robinson, Charles J. A History of the Castles of Herefordshire and their Lords. (Great Britain; Antony Rowe LTD, 2002). Page 125-129
• Roche, Richard. The Norman Invasion of Ireland. (Dublin; Anvil Books, 1995)
• Watkins, Morgan G. Collections Towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford in continuation of Duncumb’s History, Hundred of Radlow. (High Town, Hereford; Jakeman & Carver, 1902). Pages 42 to 49. Parish of Castle Frome. Genealogy contributed by Lord Hereford.

Specific References