John Devereux of Bodenham and Decies
John Devereux of Bodenham and Decies was an Anglo-Norman
nobleman living during the reigns of King John and Henry III of
John Devereux of
England. The Devereux were a prominent knightly family along the Bodenham and Decies
Welsh Marches[1] during the thirteenth century, and John Devereux Born circa 1193
was a key member of the retinue of Richard Marshal, 3rd Earl of Died circa 1244
Pembroke, and companion of Walter III de Clifford, Baron of
Clifford. Issue
Walter Devereux
Vincent Devereux
Warin Devereux
Contents Richard Devereux
Ancestry Father Walter Devereux (born
Career 1173)
Marriage
Landholdings
Death
Notes
General References
Specific References
Ancestry
John Devereux was born about 1193, the son of Walter Devereux [2][3] and Cecilia de Longchamp.[3] His
father was a member of the retinue of William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber, and upon Walter's death
about 1197 his estates were taken into de Braose's hands for the king.[4] Walter Devereux's sons were
fostered for training as knights: John Devereux with William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber;[2] Stephen
Devereux,[2] with William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke; and Nicholas Devereux, with Walter de Lacy,
Lord of Meath.[5][6][7][a] The three brothers would sire the three Devereux families that would play an
integral role in controlling the Welsh Marches during the thirteenth century.
Career
John Devereux joined the retinue of William de Braose about 1200 as de Braose expanded his holdings in
Wales, and reclaimed his family's rights in Limerick, Ireland. On 2 April 1203 the King ordered 'William de
Patell' (William de Preaux) to grant the lands in France held in the King's hands (and possession of Lodovic
Luvet de Fontenum) to Cecilia Devereux as guardian of the heir, John.[8] Cecilia was identified as the
daughter(-in-law) of John, Lord Devereux, who was the grandfather of the said heir, John. The grant was
witnessed by William de Braose.
During the summer of 1208 King John used de Braose's escalating debt and refusal to provide a hostage, to
seize his lands and order the arrest of his family.[9] In early 1209 William de Braose fled to Ireland, and
King John pursued him ultimately to his death. Braose's supporters such as John Devereux, and any
providing him aid including William Marshal, the earl of Pembroke,[10] were the subjects of royal
disfavor.[11]
In the summer of 1211 a Welsh rebellion forced King John to redirect his attention to their suppression. His
forces were further strained by the discovery of a plot to usurp the throne. William Marshal seized this
opportunity to regain favor with a show of support,[12] and King John restored the Marshal's men and lands
in Wales to counter the rebellion. At this time John Devereux joined his brother, Stephen Devereux, in the
service of the earl of Pembroke. In April 1213 the Marshal gathered his forces, probably including both
Devereux, to bolster King John's forces in Kent to counter a possible French invasion.[13] In 1214 the King's
expedition to Poitou fails, and in autumn unrest swept England.[14] William Marshal becomes key to the
negotiations for the Magna Carta,[15] and John Devereux was probably with him on 15 June 1215 when
Marshal stood with King John at Runnymede. After the Pope declared the Magna Carta void, the First
Barons' War broke out. In autumn John Devereux again is probably with the earl of Pembroke defending the
marches from Welsh incursions. Over the next year England fell into civil war with a French invasion and
occupation of London.[16] When King John died on 18 October 1216, John Devereux was probably among
the earl's forces that secured Henry III and crowned him king.[17] As the opposing forces maneuvered,
Devereux remained with William Marshal as he brought his forces to crush the baronial faction on 20 May
1217 at the Battle of Lincoln.[18]
As reward for his faithful service John Devereux was knighted about 1218, and granted approximately 4800
acres of land. The lands were enfeoffed for 2 knights’ fees to the earl of Pembroke[b] through his loyal
retainer, Thomas fitzAnthony.[2] Devereux received lands in the Decies (Kilkenny, Ireland) along the river
Nore encompassing Donoughmore. These included the ancient parish of Achteyr (alias Aharney), and was
part of the barony of Fertagh. The grant ran from Lazhargalvan up to Mezhan, and as the water of Avenmore
runs to Dufglas, and along the water of Dufglas to the nearest ford of Leichemaelergin; and as those said
lands extend in Slefto to Sleftrun, that is to say Anach and Seunach, Killorzhie, Adentein, Crumachtan,
Sheskin, Balinoe, Razhinakennardy, Baliachan, Affane, Ballymalaly, Balimithyan, Balykennedy,
Ballydonan, Cappagh, Ross, Caselan, Kilcounan, Moy, Thelghy, Tholach, Henan, and Kulman.[2] Further
grant also of Galles and Ballybrenning, Ardoe and Lislaan, Culbethach and the fourth part of Balymachethy
on the east and south.[2][19] These lands were held for an annual rent of 31 marks (20 pounds) to the king,
and were quit of the maintenance of archers therein.[2] William Marshal died on 14 May 1219, and John
Devereux joined the retinue of William fitzWilliam Marshal, 2nd earl of Pembroke. Following the 1st earl's
death his retainer fitzAnthony's influence waned in Ireland in favor of the rising power of Hubert de Burgh
and Richard de Burgh.
About 1223 John Devereux witnessed the charter of his brother, Stephen Devereux, who made extensive
grants to Wormsley Priory (Old Church of Saint Leonard).[20] This deed also confirmed the grants of their
father, Walter Devereux; made mention of their mother, the widow Cecilia; and was acknowledged by
Gilbert de Lacy.[c]
In 1223 the 2nd earl of Pembroke crossed over to Wales to campaign against Llywelyn, and Devereux
probably came with him. In his absence the Justiciar of Ireland was ordered to take fitzAnthony's lands into
hand as he was accused of detaining some of the King's escheats. During 1224 Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of
Ulster attacked the lands held by the 2nd earl of Pembroke, and other royal demesne lands. The earl returned
to Ireland and subdued de Lacy. He served as Justiciar of Ireland from 1224 to 1226. In 1225 John Devereux
recovered his lands by payment of 250 marks to the King. About 1225 Devereux witnessed the granting of a
license by Walter Clifford for 1 mark to the monks of Salop for the grazing of their goats in the woodland of
Lawton.[21] Richard de Burgh regained the position of Justiciar in 1226, and by December Devereux's lands
were again placed in his custody probably for being among those said to be holding their castles ‘against the
king’ in August 1226. Henry III assumed full regal powers in January 1227, and by April 1227 Thomas
fitzAnthony had died. FitzAnthony's lands were taken into the King's hands in August, and these included
those enfeoffed by John Devereux. Henry III attained legal majority in October 1228, and the 2nd earl of
Pembroke regained royal favor. In early 1229 John Devereux was instructed to pay a fine of £10 to the king
to have a charter granting his holdings in the Decies, which he had previously held of Thomas fitzAnthony
as a tenant-in-chief of the king.[2] On 25 March 1229 the King confirmed the:
Gift to John de Ebroicis, and his heirs, of lands in Dessyo, … all which lands the said John previously held
of the gift of Thomas son of Anthony; to hold, with all appurtenances, rendering 31 marks to the king yearly;
grant also to the same of free warren in the said lands, and that he and his heirs be quit of the maintenance
of archers therein[22]
William fitzWilliam Marshal, 2nd earl of Pembroke witnessed this charter. On 2 April 1229 Richard de
Burgh, justiciary of Ireland, acknowledged receipt of the 10 pounds at the Dublin Exchequer.
Devereux witnessed two grants of Walter de Lacy.[23] In 1230 Sir John Devereux also witnessed the grant by
Walter Clifford, son of Walter Clifford and Agnes Cundy, to Katherine, daughter of Walter de Lacy, of
Burley held as part of the manor of Corfham.[24] That same year the 2nd earl of Pembroke accompanied
King Henry III on an expedition to Brittany, and John Devereux was probably in his retinue. On 6 April
1231 the 2nd earl died, and was succeeded by Richard Marshal as 3rd earl of Pembroke who became leader
of the baronial party antagonistic to Henry III's foreign friends.
In 1232 John Devereux was identified in the royal book of fines as paying the 20 pounds required by law.[2]
The refusal of the Justiciars of Ireland to implement certain royal orders, though, caused John to still be
seeking seisin of his lands in the Decies in 1233. On 27 April 1233 the king commanded that he be granted
full seisin of his lands.[2][25] A portion of his lands had been retained by Richard de Burgh when Justiciar. It
was this disseisin which the King referred to in his letter to Maurice fitzGelrald, Justiciar of Ireland, on 8
August 1233 instructing him to give seisin of the lands that the King had disseised John, and which he had
subsequently granted to him by charter. Specifically, the lands included Galles, Bellibrannyn, Arda, Lisnaan,
Gurbetha, and Culma.[2][26]
In August 1233 revolt broke out along the Marches led by Richard Marshal, earl of Pembroke, and Walter de
Clifford, Marcher Lord. The king declared Marshal a traitor when he refused to present himself at
Gloucester. John Devereux was among the knights who initially supported the revolt,[27] but later in the year
he was back in support of the king pledging his lands as security and sending his heir as hostage. On 17
August Devereux, William Mauduit (Lord of Hanslope), and Mathew Maung were issued charters that
contained an oath of allegiance they had to make vowing forfeiture of their lands should they not serve
Henry III faithfully. Furthermore, Walter, son of John Devereux, was to be placed as hostage in the custody
of Hugh de Kilpeck as security for Devereux and Maung, and William de Dover guaranteed his fidelity by
providing his son to William fitzWarin.[28] In March 1234 the king entered a temporary truce with Richard
Marshal, but conflict broke out in Ireland between Richard's brothers and the king's supporters. After allying
with Llywelyn, prince of Wales, Richard crossed from Wales to Ireland, and on 16 April 1234 he died from
wounds suffered at the Battle of the Curragh. Gilbert Marshal succeeded him as the 4th earl of Pembroke.
On 17 June 1234 Hugh de Kilpeck was commanded to release Walter, the son of Sir John Devereux of the
retinue of Walter Clifford, who had been surrounded as a guarantee of faithful service. Hugh de Kilpek was
to release Walter Devereux to Walter Clifford without delay. William fitzWarin was also commanded to
release Walter Hugh, son of Walter of Dover, another companion of Walter Clifford.[29]
On 10 September 1234 the king instructed Maurice fitzGerald, justiciary of Ireland, to investigate the
complaint of Geoffrey de Turville, Archdeacon of Dublin, that John Devereux, William of Wales, and others
were placing clerks in the chapels on their lands, and that the right of appointment to these chapels belonged
to the Archdeacon.[30]
On 24 Aug. 1236 Henry III pardoned Richard son of Elias £20 of the issues of the land of John Devereux
granted to him in compensation for the damage that he sustained in the war between the king and Richard
Marshal, earl of Pembroke. Maurice fitzGerald, Justiciar of Ireland, and Geoffrey de Turville, Archdeacon of
Dublin and treasurer, were instructed that Richard was to be quit from the issues due to be received at the
Dublin Exchequer.[31]
On 8 June 1237 Fulk fitzWarin attorned before the king, John Devereux, and Richard de Rocheford in the
matter of an assise de morte d’ancestor, which Fulk claimed against John Travers and Hugh Purcell for the
land in Docoinell Glencaveran.[32] About 1244 John Devereux granted to his son, Vincent de Ebroicis, and
his heirs his remaining five carucates (600 acres) of land in Ireland representing the fourth part of a knight's
service of the fee of Donoughmore, barony of Fertagh.[33] The fee extends between the Cullahill Mountains
to the east of side of the river Nore at Ballyragget, and borders on the southwest with Philip de Rocheford's
lands in the parish of Sheffin, and on the south with the monks of Jerpoint in Grangemacomb. It also
possessed the common of pasture and woods in Odogh. It was witnessed by two of his other sons: Richard
Devereux, and Warin Devereux. Donoughmore lies on the east side of the river Nore at Ballyragget with the
fee of Donoughmore extending along the west bank, and the five carucates taking in the ancient parish of
Achteyr alias Aharney.
In the 1240's there is a reference to a release by Robert de Wilmeston, son of Roger de Chandos (Lord of
Snodhill), to the monks of Dore of all the land upon the Godway (Blakemere) in Hereford, which the said
monks held from Sir John Devereux, from the upper part of Wadel (tributary of the river Lugg) to the
boundaries of Malfeld (in Peterchurch) and Isaacsfeld (abutting on a meadow called 'Wetemore). The land
extended to the combe of Wilmeston, and part abutted on Titekmille and extended to Hyldithelee. This
document was witnessed by his son, Sir Walter Devereux among others.[34]
John Devereux witnessed the grant of Isabel de Cantilupe, widow of his brother Stephen Devereux, on 21
February 1244 to the Hospital of St. Ethelbert for the souls of herself and her two husbands "unam ladum
bladi" at the Feast of St. Andrew during her life to be received at her house in Frome. This Deed has a seal
of white wax with the arms of Devereux and around it "Sigillum Isabell +" and was also witnessed by Hugh
de Kilpeck, and Ricard de Chandos. The arms of Devereux were described as "a fess and in chief three
torteauxes."[35]
Marriage
John Devereux married an unknown woman, and they had children:
Walter Devereux[28]
Vincent Devereux[2][33][d]
Warin Devereux[33]
Richard Devereux[33][36][e]
Landholdings
John Devereux inherited the manor of Bodenham Devereux, and lands in Wirkebroc (Peterchurch) and
Westhide in the county of Herefordshire.[37] John held lands in Bredwardine and Bodenham of the Honor of
Brecon.[27] He acquired during his lifetime lands in the Decies, Ireland; and Hardel (Southampton).
Death
John Devereux died between February 1244 and September 1245. On 29 September 1245 his son, Walter
Devereux, was granted respite from a demand of payment by Hamo of Hereford (a Jewish money lender) of
a debt of 12 ½ marks owed by his father, John Devereux.[38]
Notes
a. Nicholas Devereux would eventually become the Steward of Meath for Walter de Lacy, and
inherit the Devereux manors of Cheynestone (Hereford) and East Leach (Gloucester).
b. In 1247 a list of those holding knights fees in the barony of Galmoy (Kilkenny) still included
John de Ebroicis holding 2 knights’ fees, partly in Acheteyr (Achad Togarta, including Aharney).
In 1317 a list of those holding fees showed this area now being held by Stephen de Oxon (or
de Exeter).
c. Gilbert de Lacy was the son of Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath
d. John Devereux granted the remaining 5 carucates of his land in Donoughmore to his son,
Vincent, about 1244. This probably occurred at the time of Vincent's marriage to a woman
named Alice, who in widowhood was referred to as Lady Alice of Hereford, and by whom he
had a son, John. Alice was holding this land in dower when her son granted his rights to a third
part of his father’s 5 carucates to Roger de Pembroke in fee and socage. This son was
probably the Sir John Devereux who founded the Convent for Friars Minors in New Ross in the
reign of Edward I.
e. Richard was probably named in honor of Richard Marshal, 3rd Earl of Pembroke. He held land
in Erdicote (Gloucester), and had at least one son, Richard. On 28 June 1272 Richard, the son
and heir of Richard Devereux, was pardoned by the king the forty shillings he was fined for
disseisin, and twenty shillings that his father had been fined for the same disseisin. Richard
Devereux the younger was the valet of John Giffard, Baron Giffard of Brimsfield who had
married Maud, daughter of Walter de Clifford.
General References
Asbridge, Thomas. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014)
Holden, Brock. "Lords of the Central Marches: English Aristocracy and Frontier Society, 1087-
1265." (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).
Redmond, Gabriel O'C. "An Account of the Anglo-Norman Family of Devereux, of Balmagir,
County Wexford." (Dublin: Office of "The Irish Builder," 1891).
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)
Specific References
1. Brock W. Holden. Lords of the Central Marches. (Oxford; Oxford University Press, 2008). page
92
2. Gabriel O'C Redmond. "An Account of the Anglo-Norman Family of Devereux, of Balmagir,
County Wexford." (Dublin: Office of "The Irish Builder," 1891). Pages 1 to 6
3. Morgan G. Watkins. 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). Page 42 to 49. Parish of Castle Frome, Genealogy contributed by Lord Hereford
4. Thomas Duffus Hardy (editor). Rotuli Normanniae in turri Londinensi Asservati, Johanne et
Henrico Quinto, Angliae Regibus, Volume 1 1200-1205. London. 1835. Page 86
5. The Deputy Keeper of Records. "Liber Feodorum. The Book of Fees Commonly Called Testa
de Nevill, Reformed From the Earliest Mss; Part 1, AD 1198 - 1242." (London: Published by his
Majesty's Stationery Office, 1920). Pages 631-2
6. W. Holden Brook. "Lords of the Central Marches: English Aristocracy and Frontier Society,
1087-1265." (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008). Pages 101, 113
7. [1] (http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/patentrolls/e3v5/body/Edward3vol5page0053.pdf), Calendar of
Patent Rolls, Volume 5, page 53. 1340, November 14, Reading, membrane 24 & 25
8. Thomas Duffus Hardy (editor). Rotuli Normanniae in turri Londinensi Asservati, Johanne et
Henrico Quinto, Angliae Regibus, Volume 1, 1200-1205. (London: 1835). Page 86
9. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 312
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12. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 320
13. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 323
14. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 326
15. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 327
16. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 336-7
17. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Pages 344 to 345
18. Thomas Asbridge. The Greatest Knight. (New York: Harper Collins, 2014). Page 361
19. Calendar of the Charter Rolls,Volume I, Henry III, 1226 to 1257. (London: Mackie and Co.,
1908)
20. Roger Dodsworth. Monasticon Anglicanum by William Dugsdale. (London: 1673). Vol. 3,
Additions to Volume 2, Stephen Devereux Charters for Lyonshall, page 49, 53
21. Robert William Eyton. Antiquities of Shropshire. (London: JR Smith, 1857). Page 202
22. Paul Drybaugh and Beth Hartland (editors). Calendar of Fine Rolls of the Reign of Henry III,
Volume II, 1224-1234. (Boydell Press, 2008). 13 Henry III, 164, membrane 9
23. Colin Veach. Lordship in Four Realms; The Lacy Family, 1166-1241. (New York: Manchester
University Press/Manchester Medieval Studies, 2014). Appendix 2, Table 5
24. Robert William Eyton. Antiquities of Shropshire. (London: JR Smith, 1857). Page 204-205
25. H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry III, Volume 2, 1231 to 1234.
(London: Public Record office, 1905). 27 April 1233, membrane 10
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(London: Public Record office, 1905). 8 August 1233, membrane 6
27. The supporters of Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in the rebellion of 1233-1234. Welsh
History Review. Volume 17, numbers 1-4. (1994-1995) Page 54
28. H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry III, Volume 2, 1231 to 1234.
(London: Public Record office, 1905). 17 August 1233, membrane 6d
29. H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry III, Volume 2, 1231 to 1234.
(London: Public Record office, 1905). 17 June 1234, membrane 18
30. H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry III, Volume 2, 1231 to 1234.
(London: Public Record office, 1905). 10 September 1234, membrane 6d
31. Paul Drybaugh and Beth Harland (editos). Calendar of Fine Rolls of the Reign of Henry III,
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32. H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry III, Volume 2, 1234 to 1237.
(London: Public Record office, 1905). 8 June 1237, membrane 12d
33. Edmund Curtis (editor). Ormond Deeds Being The Medieval Documents Preserved At Kilkenny
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http://www.british-history.ac.uk/ancient-deeds/vol3/pp271-282 [accessed 28 March 2020].
35. John Gough Nichols (editor). Collectanea Topographica & Genealogica, Volume II. (London:
John Bowyer Nichols and Son, 1835). Page 250. [2] (https://archive.org/stream/collectaneatop
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36. CD Ross (editor). Cartulary of St. Mark’s Hospital, Bristol, Volume 21. (Bristol: JW Arrowsmith,
1959). Entries 360 and 370
37. Deputy Keeper of Records. Liber Feodorum. The book of fees, commonly called the Testa de
Nevill. (London: Public Record Office, 1920). Pages 76, 805, 809, and 811
38. Excerpta E Rotulis Finium in Turri Londinensi Asservatis, Henrico Tertio Rege, 1216-1272,
Volume 1. (London: Public Record Office, 1831), Page 442, Entry 504, membrane 4
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