General Notes

The family of Devereux derives its surname from the town of Evreux in the duchy of Normandy, and the first of them who settled in England were Walter and Robert, sons of Walter earl of Rosmar in that duchy. Walter received from William the Conqueror, immediately after the battle of Hastings, the lordship of Salisbury in the county of Wilts; and Patrick his grandson, was constituted lord steward of the houshold to the empress Maud; and by that princess 1153 created earl of Salisbury.

He was murdered by Guy de Lusignan in the year 1167; and William, second earl, his son, died 1196 leaving issue

1.Ela, who was married to William surnamed Longsword, natural son to king Henry the second. In consequence of this marriage the title of Salisbury passed into the family of Longsword, and became extinct in the year 1250.

William, fifth in descent from Robert, younger son of Walter earl of Rosmar, took part with the rebellious barons in the reign of king Henry the third, and was killed at the battle of Evesham 4 August 1265. Walter his great grandson, had issue,

1.John, father of John, who fought under Edward the Black Prince in the wars of Spain, and was installed knight of the garter in the year 1385. He was lord steward of the houshold to king Richard the second.
2.William.

Walter, fourth in descent from William, married Anne, daughter and heiress of William de Ferrars lord de Ferrars of Chartley; in consequence of which marriage he received summons to parliament 26 July 1461 by the title of baron de Ferrars. He was killed fighting for king Richard the third at the battle of Bosworth 22 August 1485. John, second lord de Ferrars of the family of Devereux, his son, married Cicely, daughter of Henry Bourchier earl of the county of Essex, early of Eu in the duchy of Normandy, viscount Bourchier and baron Bourchier and Lovaine, and descendant of Thomas of Woodstock duke of Gloucester, youngest son of king Edward the third. The family of Devereux is the only surviving representative of Thomas of Woodstock Walter, third lord de Ferrars, the issue of this marriage, was
by king Edward the sixth created viscount Hereford; and from the particular form of the patent, the heirs of his dignity are entitled, according to the opinion of Sir Richard Saint George garter king at arms, to a seat in the parliament of Ireland as well as in that of England. He had issue,

1.Richard, father of Walter second lord viscount Hereford.
2.Edward.