Walter Devereux (~1105 to 1165)

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 born ~1105, the son of Walter Devereux of Lyonshall and an unknown woman.

Walter Devereux married an unknown woman and had a son:

  • John Devereux (~1137).

Walter Devereux would have begun training as a knight about 1119, and completed this about 1124. This would have occurred under his feudal overlord, Bernard de Neufmarche, Lord of Brecon. Upon Bernard’s death about 1125, Devereux’s fealty passed to Miles fitzWalter, 1st earl of Hereford, who had married Sybil de Neufmarche, Bernard’s daughter, in 1121.

Upon the death of his father, Walter Devereux inherited his lands, and took his place in the military retinue of the earl of Hereford. This would lead to his involvement in the civil war between the Empress Maud and King Stephen upon the death of Henry I on 1 December 1135.

As England descended into the ‘Anarchy,’ Devereux and his liege lord were loyal supporters of the Empress Maud. Walter was probably involved with the ongoing border skirmishes with the Welsh. Gilbert fitzGilbert de Clare, was created the 1st earl of Pembroke in 1138, and thus became a loyal supporter of Stephen, setting the Devereux at odds with them.

When Geoffrey Talbot rose in rebellion against Stephen, this drew the royal forces to Hereford. In June 1138, the King first drove Talbot out of Hereford, and then followed him to capture Weobly. For a time, both had royal garrisons, and then as Stephen drew back Talbot fired Hereford and fled to Bath. These actions and the ongoing struggle for control of castles along the Welsh marches freed the Devereux family up from local control, and left them the dominant force in this region of Hereford.

Walter Devereux may have been with Miles of Gloucester when he captured Winchcomb 31 January 1140. He probably was with his lord at the Battle of Lincoln on 2 February 1141 where king Stephen was captured. He probably also was with Miles at the subsequent Rout of Winchester on 14 September 1140 where the Empress’ forces scattered to their respective holdings.

About 1142 Miles, earl of Hereford, and Robert, earl of Gloucester, enter a ‘confederatio of amoris’ where they agree to only negotiate with their enemies as a team. Devereux, as part of Miles’ retinue, was bound by this as well. This agreement would be renewed by the sons of both Miles and Robert in 1149, and hold for the remainder of the conflict.

Miles, 1st earl of Hereford, died on 24 December 1143, and was succeeded by Roger fitzMiles, 2nd earl of Hereford. Walter Devereux was now part of his military retinue. He was probably with Roger when he led his men to relieve the siege of Tetbury in Gloucester in 1144. King Stephen’s forces were operating in Gloucester on and off through 1146.

Robert, earl of Gloucester, died on 31 Oct 1147, and was succeeded by William as 2nd earl of Gloucester. Roger fitzMiles accompanied Henry II to the north of England where Henry was knighted by King David of Scotland. Devereux was probably in his retinue, and helped guide Henry back to safety in Hereford. For the next 6 years things remain relatively status quo.

In January 1153 Henry landed in England again, and in June Walter Devereux was probably with the earl of Hereford when he joined in the defense of Wallingford. The two sides finally reach a tentative peace after the death of Eustace, son of King Stephen, and agreed that Henry will be heir. On 25 October 1154, King Stephen died, and on 12 December 1154 Henry II is crowned king. In 1155 Henry II tried to regain control of various castles, and this triggered local revolts by Roger fitzMiles, 2nd earl of Hereford, over Gloucester and Hereford. Hugh Mortimer also rebelled over Bridgnorth, Wigmore, and Cleobury. Henry II finally yielded, but when Roger fitzMiles died later this year his brother, Walter, was not allowed to inherit the earldom of Hereford.

The lands and shrievalty of Hereford and Gloucester did pass to Walter of Hereford, and the fealty of Devereux as well. Devereux probably participated in Henry II’s expedition to Wales in 1157, and Toulouse in 1158.

Walter de Hereford died while on crusade in the Holy Land without an heir about 1159. Henry fitzMiles succeeded his brother, but died about 1162. Mahel de Hereford then succeeded his brother to the lordship of Brecon, but died without an heir about 1164. William de Hereford succeeded Mahel, but followed him in death without an heir in 1166. Without any remaining male heirs, the estates were divided between the daughters of Miles of Gloucester; Bertha (wife of William de Braose), and Margaret (wife of Humphrey II of Bohun). The lordship of Brecon, and the fealty of the Devereux went to William de Braose.

In the Pipe Rolls for Henry II, Walter Devereux’s reward was demonstrated by his listing in Herefordshire under land granted. He appeared yearly from 1159 to 1164 as receiving 9 shillings for land granted.

In 1166 he was holding 3 fees of Hugh de Lacy, and held Lyonshall Castle within Elsdon Hundred, Herefordshire (Holding Elstones/Eldostune Bridge in the Curia Regis Rolls, volume 15).

Walter Devereux probably died in 1165 as he is no longer listed on the Pipe Rolls after this date.