John Devereux, Lord of Munsley, was a nobleman living during the reigns of Edward I and Edward II. The Devereux were a prominent knightly family along the Welsh MarchesBrock W. Holden. Lords of the Central Marches. (Oxford; Oxford University Press, 2008). page 92 during the thirteenth century, and played an integral role in attempts to control the Welsh Marches during the thirteenth century.

Ancestry

John Devereux was born in 1250,Thomas Madox. Baronia Anglica. An History of Land-Honors and Baronies, and of Tenure in Capite. (London: Crown and Mitre, 1741). Page 196 a younger son of Nicholas II Devereux of Chanston by his second wife, Joan.Alfred J. Horwood (editor). Year Books of the Reign of King Edward the First, Years XX and XXI. (London: Longmans Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1866). Pages 166 to 168 His father had supported the baronial cause towards the end of the Second Barons' War, and probably died following the Battle of Evesham. John would be required to redeem his inheritance in 1279 under the requirements of the Dictum of Kenilworth.Placitorum in domo capitulari Westmonasteriensi asservatorum abbrevatio, temporibus regum Ric. I., Johann., Henr. III, Edw. I, Edw. II. London: Public Record Office, 1811). Page 194, 196 On 29 September 1278 John Devereux filed a plea for the redemption of 2 carucates of land in Tatington, part of Bullinghope, and Clehonger from Nicholas le Archer. He demonstrated that his previous non-appearance was not grounds for denial as he had not been notified, and the redemption was granted. Nicholas le Archer redeemed the lands on 2 April 1279 following the receipt 22 pounds, 5 shillings and 6 pennies comprising rent for 3 years.Placitorum in domo capitulari Westmonasteriensi asservatorum abbrevatio, temporibus regum Ric. I., Johann., Henr. III, Edw. I, Edw. II. (London, Public Record Office, 1811). Page 193, 196

Career

John Devereux was attached to the retinue of Humphrey de Bohun, 3rd Earl of Hereford, and probably participated in Edward I's Welsh wars during the 1270s. Following, the Treaty of Aberconwy in November 1277, John Devereux was granted quittance of the common summons in county Somerset on 27 March 1280.HC Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, Volume 2, 1279-1288. (London: Public Record Office, 1902). Page 47 On 10 June 1280 he was provided protection with clause volumus while he was abroad in Ireland with William de Audley and others,H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls. Edward I, 1272 to 1281. (London: Public Record Office, 1901). Volume 1, page 380. and was granted quittance of the common summons in county Southampton on 6 October 1280.HC Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, Volume 2, 1279-1288. (London: Public Record Office, 1902). 6 Oct 1280, Lincoln When fighting broke out again, it is expected that Devereux again participated in the campaign that ended with death of Llywelyn, and capture of Dafydd ap Gruffydd in June 1283.

On 11 June 1284 John Devereux was granted warranty on 1 messuage and a moiety of 1 virgate of land in Callow Hill (in Munsley). Ralph le Child of Upleadon acknowledged the tenements to be the right of John; and Devereux agreed to render to him 1 penny yearly at the feast of St Michael and perform for the chief lords all other services. For this John Devereux gave him 11 marks of silver., Medieval Genealogy Website. Abstracts of Feet of Fines. CP 25/1/81/19, number 69.

In 1286 John Devereux was back in Gloucester where he witnessed documents for Reginald fitzPeter. When further rebellion broke out in Wales, Devereux was again granted on 23 July 1287 clause volumus while on the king's service in Wales.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls. Edward I, 1281 to 1292. (London: Public Record Office, 1971 reprint). Volume 2, page 274. On 26 June 1289 John de le Ok, son of Miles de Sweyneston, acknowledged a debt to John Devereux of 11 pounds to be levied in default of payment of his lands and chattels in county Hereford.HC Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, Volume 3, 1288-1296. (London: Public Record Office, 1904). Page 48 On 15 May 1290 John Devereux was one of the sureties for William de Mortimer, Parson of the Church of Eastham (Worcester), acknowledging the debt to Roger la Zouch of Lubbesthorpe of 80 pounds to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in counties Worcester and Essex.HC Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, Volume 3, 1288-1296. (London: Public Record Office, 1904). 15 May 1290, Westminster

On 25 November 1287 Sibel, widow of William de Warham, remised and quitclaimed to John Devereux and his heirs 1 messuage and 1 virgate of land in Warham (in Breinton), excepting 6 acres of land. For this John gave her 10 pounds of silver., Medieval Genealogy Website. Abstracts of Feet of Fines. CP 25/1/81/20, number 96.

On 1 July 1289 Margery de la Walls, Medieval Genealogy Website. Abstracts of Feet of Fines. CP 25/1/81/22, number 146. acknowledged tenements in Ledbury (Wall Hills and Plaistow), and Coddington to be the right of John Devereux, and rendered them to him and his heirs in court. Also Margery granted half a virgate and 6 acres of land and 10 shillings of rent, which Walter and IsabelThis Isabel is probably John Devereux's half sister. See below in 1292 de la Walls held for the life of Isabel of the inheritance of Margery, to remain to John and his heirs. Margery further granted half a virgate of land, which Robert and Cecily de la Heath held in dower of Cecily of the inheritance of Margery, to remain to John and his heirs.

Also in September 1290 Devereux was called as witness in a court case contesting the ownership of 'Donewaldeslond' between the heirs of Philip of Wastellion and John de Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings. John Devereux testified that he knew the Welshman, and that his parents did too. He and his father often came to Philip's house, and heard that Philip had performed homage to the King for the contested land which had been held by Philip's ancestors. John also testified that the Welshman held of John de Hastings 3 bovates of land in other parts of Wales.

On 6 January 1291, John Devereux was listed among the men of the earl of Hereford who repelled the incursions of the earl of Gloucester's men from Wales in the proceedings held by the king to settle their private feud.Chris Given-Wilson, Paul Brand, Seymour Phillips, Mark Ormrod, Geoffrey Martin, Anne Curry and Rosemary Horrox (editors). Parliament Rolls of Medieval England. (Woodbridge, 2005). Original Documents: Edward I Parliaments, Roll 5. accessed 16 January 2016. A pardon was granted on 2 November 1291 to a group of Welshmen for their outlawry in Hereford and not appearing before the justices to answer John Devereux's accusation of trespassing.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls. Edward I, 1281 to 1292. (London: Public Record Office, 1971 reprint). Volume 2, page 450 On 6 January 1292 John Devereux was taken into custody over these cross border raids along the Welsh Marches, and was ransomed by the Earl of Hereford.

In 1292, John's half-sister, Isabel, and her husband, brought a writ of waste against her stepmother, Joan, and Joan's second husband. This involved the felling of trees on land granted Joan in dower, and that was to revert to Isabel and John Devereux. John was questioned as to his reversion rights, which he indicated he had granted to Isabel. Joan held right to the tenements as the widow of Nicholas Devereux. The trees were ultimately determined to have fallen down as the result of ditches dug at the direction of Isabel.

On 22 December 1294, John Devereux was granted protection as a member of the retinue of Nicholas de Audley during service overseas.Calendar of Chancery Warrants, 1244-1326. Deputy Keeper of Records. (London: Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1927). Page 46 He sailed with the Earl of Lancaster in January 1295 on the expedition to reinforce Gascony. The expedition plundered Brittany, and then landed in Gascony. They advanced on Bordeaux 28 March 1295, but failed to take the town. Retiring to Bayonne, the earl of Lancaster died on 6 June 1295 and his forces returned to England.

In 1295 France and Scotland enter the Treaty of Paris, agreeing to mutual support in face of conflict with England, and subsequently termed the ‘Auld Alliance.’ Edward I tried to raise forces to pursue further war with France, but Bohun and other earls resisted this goal. In March 1297 Parliament was held at Salisbury, and Edward I pressed the issue, but events in Scotland changed his direction. As fighting broke out again, William Wallace sacked Lanark Castle in May 1297. On 5 August 1297 the King provided John Devereux with letters of protection for the next year while he is on the king's service overseas.Major General Hon. George Wrottesley (editor). Collections for a History of Staffordshire. (London: Harrison and Sons, 1886). Volume 7, page 44. William Wallace defeated the English at Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. Devereux gathered with the army for Edward I's invasion of Scotland, and was probably present at the Battle of Falkirk. On 7 June 1300 John Devereux, son of Nicholas Devereux, was granted Letters of Protection while serving in Scotland under John de Usflete.Grant Simpson and James Galbraith (Editors). Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland. Volume V (supplementary). AD 1108-1516. (Edinburgh: Scottish Record Office, 1970). Page 404 John de Usflete was the husband of Lora, daughter and coheir of Gerard de Furnivale. On 21 November 1301 John Devereux, yeoman, was granted letters of protection along with Nicholas le Archer who were staying on the king's service in Scotland.Calendar of Chancery Warrants, 1244-1326. Deputy Keeper of Records. (London: Majesty’s Sationary Office, 1927). Page 148

John Devereux had returned to the Welsh marches in Spring of 1302. On 24 June 1302 John Devereux was granted a commission to investigate his complaint that individuals had besieged and entered his manor at Eastleach, Gloucester.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I, 1301 to 1307. (London: Public Record Office, 1898). Volume 4, page 84 They depastured his corn with their beasts, beat his servants (John le Machun and Laurence Sharp of Burton), and carried away jewels and other goods. On 8 December 1302 Devereux was nominated as attorney by Thomas St. John, who was going to Ireland for 2 years.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I, 1301 to 1307. (London: Public Record Office, 1898). Volume 4, page 98

In May 1303 Edward I invaded Scotland again. On 7 May 1303 John Devereux was granted Letters of Protection for service in Scotland with Richard de Welles.Grant Simpson and James Galbraith (Editors). Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland. Volume V (supplementary). AD 1108-1516. (Edinburgh: Scottish Record Office, 1970). Page 424 On 4 February 1304 Scotland agrees to a peace treaty with Edward I, and 22 April 1304 the last holdout, Stirling Castle, was besieged, and it surrendered 2 months later.

On 1 October 1305 Ralph de Gorges, who had fought with Devereux in Scotland, nominated John Devereux as his attorney.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward I, 1301 to 1307. (London: Public Record Office, 1898). Volume 4, page 382 On 25 August 1307 John Devereux received an exemption for life, on account of his old age and debility, from being put on juries, assizes or recognisances unless his presence be specially required.H.C. Maxwell Lyte (editor). Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward II, 1307 to 1313. (London: Public Record Office, 1894). Volume 1, page 8