William Devereux (1219–1265) was an important Marcher Lord who held Lyonshall Castle controlling a strategically vital approach to the border of Wales.
[3][4] His father had risen to be a powerful member of the inner circle of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, which led to a prominent role during the regency of Henry III.
The close relationship of the Cantelupe family with Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester would later influence Devereux's decisions during the Second Barons' War.
William Devereux's lands were taken into the King's hands on 17 March 1228[a] (excluding the dower of his mother, Isabel)[8][b] and initially placed under the control of Gilbert de Lacy, Lord of Weobley.
De Lacy was summoned to mediate a dispute in 1229 over rent due the Prior of Leonard in Pyon (Wormsley) from the lands granted them by William's father, Stephen.
[10] Following Marshal's death at the Battle of the Curragh in 1234 the King had Lower Hayton seized by the sheriff of Salop, and it was not returned to William Devereux's control until he came of age in 1240.
As William Devereux came of age he directed his efforts at re-establishing control over his father's estates and his position as a powerful Marcher Lord.
He held additional lands at Cattelegh (Cattelee), Clehonger, Heregast (Hergest Ridge), and Staunton-on Wye in Herefordshire; and Stanton in Worcestershire.
[12] A proclamation was made about 29 Sep 1244 following the death of Robert de la Berwe that any Jew who had claim to the estate needed to come forward before 28 Nov 1244.
[16] During Easter 1244 Margery, widow of Walter de Lacy, sued William Devereux for one third of 2 mills in Hereford, which she claimed as part of her dower.
[25] In summer 1242 the inheritance of 2 hides of land in Erdicot (Gloucester) valued at 100 shillings was disputed, and the possession was shown to be held of the Prior of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem by warranty of Nicholas Pointz through charter of William Devereux.
On 25 March 1244 the Hospitallers attorned Robert le Deveneis and William Joindre in the ongoing dispute over the unjust withholding of the charter.
[28] On 12 November 1251 the King granted to ‘William de Ebroicis and his heirs’ free warren in his demesne lands in Oxenhall of county Gloucester; Lenhales (Lyonshall), Frome Haymund (Halmond), Hamme (Holme Lacy), Stoke Lacy, La... (Lawton), Baldingham (Ballingham), Luntelegh (Luntley), Cattelegh (Cattelee), and Heregast of county Hereford.
[30] In October 1258 John Chete sued William Devereux and others about damaging his fish-pond and stealing his fish in Brosely, county Salop.
On 2 October 1254 the King ordered that William Devereux was to receive the equivalent of 100 shillings sterling in cloth or other goods as payment towards wages earned by his service.
On 10 May 1257 a council was ordered to aid Sir John de Grey who had been appointed by Prince Edward to defend the Welsh Marches between county Cheshire and South Wales.
For his quick response to the general summons, Devereux was released from 40 shillings that he had been fined by justices sitting in county Norfolk on 27 October 1257.
[39] Henry III, unable to campaign further that season, released his army for the winter, and sent Roger Clifford to stock the castle at Carmarthen.
[42] During the Fall Llywelyn captured castle Builth, and on 1 August 1260 William Devereux and the other lords were instructed to come with horse and arms to Shrewsbury on 8 September.
[44] When the King obtained absolution from the Pope for his oath to uphold the Provisions of Oxford, he sent a communication on 17 February 1261 to William Devereux instructing him to come to London immediately with his men, horses and arms to be in place before the assembly of Parliament.
On 15 April 1263 Prince Edward specifically begs his father to command Will d’Evereus’ to “quod in castro suo de le Hales” and “moram faciet ac partes suas viriliter defendat.“ This translates to say, “that in his castle of Lyonshall he should stay and vigorously defend his estates.”[50] On 25 May 1263 the king again commanded William Devereux to appear with horses and arms on 1 August 1263 at Worcester for a campaign against Llywelyn.
[52] Henry III's unpopular policies finally brought out open conflict, and the de Montfort led revolt began on the Welsh marches.
Following the battle William Devereux pledged his manors of Stoke Lacy and Lawton to Roger de Mortimer, 1st Baron Wigmore to ransom Adam le Despencer.
Henry III, his brother Richard of Cornwall, and Prince Edward were all captured, and by imprisoning the King, Montfort became the de facto ruler of England.
By December 1264 Montfort had dealt with the Marcher Lords, and on 20 January 1265 Parliament was assembled at Westminster including the knights of the shire, and representatives of the cities and boroughs.
[56] On 6 March 1265 the King commanded Roger de Mortimer to return the lands pledged by William Devereux for the ransom of Adam le Despencer as this obligation had been voided following the Council of Worcester.
[58] On 29 April the king ordered the Prior of Leominster to release the charter he was holding in which William Devereux granted his manors to Mortimer until Despencer's redemption had been paid.
She obtained from the king a precept to the treasurer of the cathedral for their deliverance to her on 12 October 1265 at the request of her brother, Walter de Giffard, Bishop of Bath and Wells and the Chancellor of England.
[76] William Devereux's lands were forfeited following this battle with exception by writ of the King on 3 October 1265 of Frome (Halmond), Ham (Holme Lacy), Wileby (Wilby), Oxonhal (Oxenhall), and 15 pounds of revenue in Heiton (Lower Hayton) for the maintenance of his widow, Maud.
[77] On 12 October Maud's brother, Walter de Giffard, further granted her for life the manors of Frome (Halmond), Hamme (Holme Lacy), Oxenhall, Wilby, Trompiton (Trumpington), and La Fenne (Bodenham); and the rents of Ballingham, Guting (Guleing), and Heynton (Hayton); and the meadow of Jarchull to hold to the value of 60 pounds of land a year.