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.
[b] Taking advantage of the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, this Walter Devereux[2] increased his autonomy.
The Pipe Rolls of 1190 show 8 pounds and 13 pence of oblations due the king's court were pardoned for the lands of John Devereux in Herefordshire.
[11] As Walter was under-age his lands and 2 castles (including Lyonshall) were taken into the hands of the king and placed in the possession of the sheriff of Hereford, William de Braose.
At this time Braose was accompanying Richard I as England resumed its wars in France to recapture lands lost during his captivity.
Many knights from the Welsh border were injured in the assault on the castle at Milly-sur-Therain where William Marshall himself led many into the fray.
These sons would sire the three Devereux families that would play an integral role in controlling the Welsh marches during the thirteenth century.
[32] Among the grants were the lands in Eastleach comprising the greater part of the tithes of Lady Sibillae de Evereus (Cecilia Devereux).
[38] On 29 May 1200 Master Ralph and William de Lechelad put Hugh fitzWilliam in their place regarding the ongoing court case involving the 36 acres of land contested by Cecilia Devereux.
On 14 October 1211 William de Lechelad testified under his sworn oath that by inheritance he had greater right to Leach, Gloucester, which Cecilia held in demesne.
[41] Cecelia presented her claim to Leach as her right because her grandfather, William Devereux[m] held the land in the time of Henry, the king's father.
[48] On 23 February 1220 Robert de Turville paid the court half a mark to summon Cecilia Devereux to confirm a warrant for 12 virgate (360 acres) of land in Eastleach, Gloucester.
Cecilia put forward a claim in late 1201 on 140 acres of bocage (woods and pasture) in Mescott, part of Alnatheston (Elnodestune), as the heir of her uncle, Roger Devereux, who held the land of Walter de Lacy.
In May 1206 Richard of Chandos, John Bankington, Geoffrey Ruff, and Jordan of Manington were sent to confirm that Reginald de Dunhers was truly too ill to attend the court proceedings.
On 7 October 1207 Reginald de Dunhers gave the king 1 mark for an agreement between him and Cecilia Devereux regarding the 33 acres in Elnodestune.
Fulton countered that Orenge never married the man she was betrothed to, and her children by Parson Ralph de Lichelade were illegitimate.
Cecilia put forward that it is true Orenge did not marry her fiancée, but land was given her as dowry based on her relationship with Parson Ralph.
[63] About 1235, the Book of Fees compiled the military tenants of the Honour of Weobley who held of Walter de Lacy.
The gift would be confirmed by later charters[66] The Testa de Nevill showed Cecilia Devereux holding land in Putley.
In April 1205 the Bishop of Hereford was summoned to appear before the court for his refusal to admit a suitable priest to this church currently in the possession of Cecilia Devereux.
[68] On 6 June 1205 Hugh, Dean of Hereford, paid 2 marks for convening another court to hear his suit countering the recognition of Cecilia's holding of the chapel at Putley.
[69][70] On 29 June 1206, the Bishop of Hereford and his attorney appeared before the court claiming the church of Putley as their right, and that the grant to Cecilia Devereux had only occurred because the hearing proceeded too quickly to allow them to present their case.
[73] Hugh, Dean of Hereford, put Walter de la Puille in his place for the hearing now occurring on 29 January 1207.
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 service of the church of Putley.