Walter Devereux, 8th Baron Ferrers of Chartley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Devereux
Baron Ferrers of Chartley
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| Born | c. 1432 Weobley, Herefordshire, England
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| Died | 22 August 1485 (aged c. 53) |
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| Children | 7, including John Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley |
| Parent(s) | Sir Walter Devereux Elizabeth Merbury |
Walter Devereux (born around 1432, died 1485) was an important English nobleman. He was known as the 8th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Walter was a very loyal supporter of the House of York during a big conflict called the Wars of the Roses. He was a close friend and advisor to King Edward IV. Walter Devereux bravely fought and died for King Richard III at the famous Battle of Bosworth in 1485.
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Early Life and Family
Walter Devereux was born in Weobley, Herefordshire, England, around the year 1432. His father was Sir Walter Devereux, who was a high-ranking official called the Lord Chancellor of Ireland for a short time. His mother was Elizabeth Merbury. Her father, Sir John Merbury, was a Chief Justice in South Wales.
Marriages and Children
Walter Devereux was married two times during his life.
First Marriage
His first marriage was to Anne Ferrers. They married before October 25, 1446, when they were still children. Anne Ferrers (born 1438, died 1469) was the daughter and only heir of William de Ferrers, 7th Baron Ferrers of Chartley.
When Anne's father passed away, she inherited a lot of wealth. Because of this marriage, Walter Devereux became the Baron Ferrers of Chartley on July 26, 1461. This meant he held the title "in right of his wife." The Devereux family also gained Chartley Castle through this important marriage.
Walter and Anne had at least six children together:
- Sir Robert Devereux of Ferrers (born around 1455)
- John Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (born 1463, died 1501)
- Elizabeth Devereux (born around 1454, died 1516)
- Anne Devereux (born around 1453, died after 1475)
- Sir Richard Devereux
- Sir Thomas Devereux
Anne passed away seventeen years before Walter.
Second Marriage
Walter Devereux married a second time to a woman named Joan. She was the widow of Thomas Ilom. Walter and Joan did not have any children together. Joan outlived Walter and married three more times after his death.
A Life of Service
In 1453, Walter and his first wife, Anne, took control of the lands Anne had inherited from her father. Then, in 1459, Walter also received the lands from his own father.
Supporting the Yorkists
The year 1459 was a time of conflict in England, known as the Wars of the Roses. Walter Devereux fought in a small battle at Ludford. He was fighting for Richard, Duke of York. After this, he surrendered to the king. His lands were taken away, but he was allowed to buy them back.
In 1460, he served as a representative for Hereford in Parliament. At the beginning of 1461, he went to London with Edward, Duke of York. He helped in the meeting that decided Edward should become king.
Knight and Baron
Walter Devereux fought bravely at the Battle of Towton. After this important battle, he was made a knight. He was then given the title Baron Ferrers, which had belonged to his wife's family. He also received many lands that had been taken from supporters of the old king, Henry VI of England.
Royal Appointments
Walter continued to fight with the new king, Edward IV, in the North in November 1462. Over the next ten years, he was put in charge of several castles. These included castles at Aberystwith, Brecknock, Hay, and Huntingdon.
In 1470, he became the sheriff of Carnarvon county. He was also named the Master-Forester of Snowdon Hills. In 1472, he was chosen to be a Knight of the Garter. This is a very special and important honor. The next year, he was chosen to be a teacher and advisor to Edward, Prince of Wales, who was the king's son.
Walter continued to receive gifts and lands from the king. He was given Wigston in Leicestershire in 1476 and Cheshunt in Hertfordshire in 1484.
Death at Bosworth
Walter Devereux remained a loyal supporter of Richard III of England when Richard became king. He fought by King Richard's side at the famous Battle of Bosworth on August 22, 1485.
At this battle, Lord Ferrers was in command of the front part of the army. He fought alongside other important leaders like John Howard, Duke of Norfolk. Walter Devereux was killed during the first part of the fight. He died fighting next to a young nobleman named John, Lord Zouche. Another relative, Sir John Ferrers, also died at Bosworth.
After his death, on November 7, 1485, Walter Devereux was declared a traitor by the new king.
