John Devereux, 1st Baron Devereux facts for kids

Arms of Sir John Devereux, 1st Baron Devereux, KG

John Devereux, 1st Baron Devereux was a brave knight and a close friend of Edward, the Black Prince. He was also an important noble, called a peer, during the time of King Richard II. He was also a member of the famous Order of the Garter.

Early Life and Family History

John Devereux was born around 1337. His father was John Devereux of Manne and his mother was Margaret Barre. His father fought in the famous Battle of Crécy.

John's family had a long history. His great-grandfather, William Devereux, was called "Lord Deverois" to Parliament in 1299. However, the family faced money problems. They lost their important home, Lyonshall Castle. John's family worked hard for many years to get this castle back. John Devereux himself helped his relatives try to get their family lands returned.

The Devereux family had a special coat of arms. It was a silver shield with a red stripe and three red circles at the top. To show their specific family branch, John's family added a gold star to their coat of arms.

A Life of Adventure: John Devereux's Career

John Devereux was a very skilled soldier. He started his military career by joining a fight in Spain in 1366. He helped Don Enrique of Trastamara against Pedro the Cruel, the King of Castile.

In 1367, John joined Edward, the Black Prince, on an important trip to Spain. They went to help King Pedro get his throne back. John Devereux showed great bravery at the Battle of Nájera in Spain. This battle was a big victory for the Black Prince.

After this, Prince Edward went back to Aquitaine in France. John Devereux continued to fight alongside him. He was with the Prince in Gascony in 1368. He was also there in 1370 when Edward attacked the city of Limoges. John became a leader, known as a Seneschal, in Limousin in 1369. Later, in 1372, he became Seneschal of La Rochelle.

After the Black Prince returned to England in 1371, John Devereux continued his service. He fought in a naval battle in 1371. He also campaigned in France in 1372. In 1373, he was captured at the Battle of Chizé but was later set free. He then served under John, Duke of Lancaster.

John Devereux also fought in Brittany in 1375. The Duke of Brittany later gave him money every year for his service. He also served in another naval trip in 1378. He continued to fight in France in 1379 and 1380.

The Black Prince died in 1376. Before he died, he asked that John Devereux be rewarded. So, in 1377, John was given money every year for his services in Spain and France. When the Black Prince's young son, Richard II, became king, John Devereux was chosen for a special council. This council helped rule the country while King Richard was still young.

John Devereux held many important jobs. He was the sheriff of Herefordshire in 1376. He became the Constable of Leeds Castle in Kent in 1377. He was also made Captain of Calais in 1380. Calais was a very important English town in France. He also helped oversee castles near Calais.

John Devereux was often a Commissioner, meaning he helped talk with the King of France and the Count of Flanders. These talks were about important agreements between countries. From 1388 until his death, he was the Constable of Dover Castle. He was also the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, which meant he protected important coastal towns. He also served as the Steward of the King’s Household.

Family Life: John Devereux's Marriage

Around 1377, John Devereux married Margaret de Vere. She was the daughter of John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford. Margaret had been married twice before.

John and Margaret had two children together. Their son, John Devereux, was born around 1378. Their daughter, Joan Devereux, was born in 1380. John Devereux also had an older son from before his marriage. He made sure this son would have money for his own marriage.

Margaret de Vere lived longer than John Devereux. She passed away in 1398.

Special Honors and Titles

John Devereux became a knight bachelor before 1377. This was a great honor. In 1384, he was officially called to Parliament as Lord Devereux. This meant he became a Baron, an important noble title. Even though his great-grandfather had been called "Lord Devereux" before, this was considered a new start for the title.

In 1385, John Devereux received another special honor. He became a knight banneret. This meant he could lead his own group of knights under his own banner in battle. The highest honor came in 1389 when he became a Knight of the Order of the Garter. This was one of the most important knightly orders in England.

His son, John Devereux, 2nd Baron Devereux, died without children. So, the title of Baron Devereux passed to his daughter, Joan. When Joan died, her children inherited her titles.

Important Lands and Castles

John Devereux gained control of several important lands and castles during his life. In 1382, he got permission to manage some church lands. He also bought Kilpeck Castle in 1385.

In 1387, he gained the manor of Penshurst in Kent through his wife. He was even allowed to build defenses around it in 1392.

A very important event happened in 1390. John Devereux was finally granted Lyonshall Castle and its lands. This was the same castle his family had lost many years ago. He quickly hired a builder to repair and improve the castle.

When he died, John Devereux owned several important places. These included Lyonshall Castle, Dorstone Castle, and Whitechurch Maund in Herefordshire. He also owned lands in Berkshire, Penshurst in Kent, and Dinton in Bucks.

The End of a Brave Life

John Devereux died suddenly on February 22, 1393. He was buried in the Church of the Grey Friars in London.

He had planned his funeral carefully. He wanted a stately funeral with many candles and torchbearers. He also asked for money to be given to poor people at his burial. He wanted many masses to be said for his soul and the souls of his parents. He left his wife, Margaret, many silver dishes. After her death, these were to go to their son, John, and then to their daughter, Joan.