Walter Devereux of Lyonshall (~1070 to ~1130)

General Info Crest DNA Study Normandy & Origins Will. Devereux (1037-1110) Treasurers of Normandy Brecon & Bredwardine Walt. Devereux (1070-1130) Walt. Devereux (1105-1165) Elnodestune & Putley John Devereux (1137-1187) Lyonshall & Bodenham Frome Whitechurch Staunton Wexford, Ire. Early Images 1st Earl of Essex 1st Earl Images 2nd Earl of Essex Illegitimate Son of 2nd Earl 2nd Earl Images 3rd Earl of Essex 3rd Earl Images Moses d'Evreux Maryland 1 Maryland 2 Maryland 3 Devericks 1 Devericks 2a Devericks 2b Devericks 2 Images Devericks 3a Devericks 3b Devericks 3 Images Devericks Wills Connecticut Conn Images1 Conn Images2 Conn Images3 Conn Images4 Massachusetts Barbados Random Photos References



Walter Devereux was reported on the genealogy of the Viscounts of Hereford as the son of William Devereux and Helewyse de Lacy. He was born about 1070, and recorded as being “of Lyonshall.”

The Domesday Survey showed Lyonshall being held by a Walter. According to a report by Marches Archeology, there is an annotation in the margin of the document indicating this to be ‘Walter Ebrois’ which can be read as Walter d’Ebroicis (latin for Walter Devereux).

Walter Devereux married an unknown woman about 1100. They had children:

  • Walter Devereux (~1105)
  • Roger Devereux (~1108)

Walter Devereaux would have begun training as a knight about 1084 and completed this about 1089. This would probably have been with his overlord, Roger de Lacy. Walter Devereux was given responsibility for Lyonshall, and was listed on Domesday here in 1086. About 1091 he oversaw the construction of Lyonshall Castle, and with the banishment of Roger de Lacy in 1095 became its lord. At this time Walter Devereux transferred his feudal allegiance to Bernard de Neufmarche, Lord of Brecon.

 In 1095 King William II loses men and horses on a foray into Wales. Walter Devereux would have been expected to participate in these ongoing Welsh border battles.

 During the time of King William Rufus in 1096 he was identified as granting the tenth (tithe) of Gatredeope.7

In the year of the incarnation of our Lord one thousand and ninety-sixth. I, William, King of England petition Serlo, abbot of Gloucester, and some of my nobility to grant to God and the church of St. Peter in Gloucester possess of the lands and alms which Archbishop Thomas held in thesame church, that is … And in Herefordshire one hide from Robert Curtis, and the other of William Devereux, and two tenths from Leach and Hatherop (Leech et Hadrop), of the gift of the said William… also the tenth of Gatredeope a gift from Walter Lineshalla…

In 1097 King William again leads an expedition into Wales, but fails to bring them to battle.

In 1093 Bernard de Neufmarche founded Brecon Priory. A foundation charter (1100 to 1125) shows a Walter Devereux granting the rent of one burgage in the town of Brecon to the priory.46

... We have inspected also the Charter of Bernard de Newmarch [1050 to 1125] in these words- Let all present and future know that I, Bernard de Newmarch, by the consent of my Lord King Henry [1100 to 1135] and by the testimony of his Barons have given to the Church of St. Martin de Bello my church at my Castle which is situated in Wales in Brecon, which I caused to be dedicated to the honour of St. John the Evangelist for the health and soul of the same my Lord Henry, and for the soul of King William[died 1087], his father, and of his mother [died 1083], and for the health of my soul and of my wife and sons and daughters and of all our ancestors living and deceased. But these are what I to the same church gave, my wife and children consenting, I gave to the same church above the river which is called Vscha (Usk), ... But these are what my men gave: … Walter de Linehalla (Lyonshall), one Burgess; ... Robert de Eurois (Devereux), one Burgess … All these which are here written I B(ernard) confirm, and I grant that the church and monks shall hold as well quietly and honourable with all customs as I of my Lord Henry the King hold the same.

The Nave of Worcester Cathedral has stained glass showing Bernard de Beufmarche surrounded by his 12 leading knights, and one of these knights bears the arms of Devereux.  This supports the Devereux as part of the retinue of Bernard. This probably began in 1095 when Roger de Lacy was sent into exile, allowing the Devereux to take more direct control of Lyonshall.

Bernard de Neufmarche died about 1125, and the Devereux fealty probably passed to Miles fitzWalter, 1st earl of Hereford. Miles had married Sybil de Neufmarche, Bernard’s daughter, in 1121.

Walter Devereux died about 1130.