Hugh Devereux of Chanston

Hugh Devereux of Chanston (Vowchurch) was an Anglo-Norman nobleman living during the reign of Edward I of England. The Devereux were a prominent knightly family along the Welsh Marches during the thirteenth century, and Hugh would play an integral role in attempts to control the Welsh Marches.

Hugh Devereux was born about 1245, the son of Nicholas II Devereux of Chanston and a woman named Isabel. His grandfather was a member of the retinue of Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath, and on his death the fealty of the Devereux estates of Chanston were transferred to Walter’s granddaughter, Margaret de Lacy, and her husband, John de Verdon. His father had gone over to the Baronial cause towards the end of the Second Barons' War, but by this time Hugh was established in his own right and remained loyal to the king.

Following his father’s death probably at the Battle of Evesham, Hugh Devereux was granted safe conduct by the king on 4 May 1266 lasting through midsummer to allow him to come to court.

Between 1276 to 1277 Edward I suppressed a minor rebellion in Wales. On 18 August 1277 Hugh Devereux was provided protection with a clause volumus until Michaelmas (29 September) as he was already on the king’s service in Wales.

On 2 January 1290 Devereux, John Pychard, and Robert de Hauford acknowledged owing a 7 marks debt to Thomas de Tuberville with collateral being their lands and chattels in Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire. He was identified as Lord of Chanston on 8 December 1293 when recorded as taking a loan of 4 pounds and 7 shillings from Richard, son of Roger de Orleton, a merchant of Herefordshire.

On 9 March 1299 Richard Swinefield, Bishop of Hereford, requested that the King order the sheriff of Hereford (Miles Pichard) to eject armed men led by Hugh Devereux and his sons, and Richard Dansey who had taken possession of Turnastone Church, and the chapel and rectory of Saint Leonard’s in county Herefordshire. They were in the Golden Vale, and a short distance from his manor of Chanston. Following resolution of this event, a John Devereux was inducted into the living on 24 November 1300 on presentation by Richard Dansy.