Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
Walter Devereux was the eldest son of Sir Richard Devereux, who was created a Knight of the Bath on 20 February 1547 and died that same year, in the lifetime of his father, The 1st Viscount Hereford. Walter Devereux's mother was Lady Dorothy Hastings, daughter of The 1st Earl of Huntingdon and Anne Stafford, said to have been a mistress of Henry VIII. Through his paternal ancestry he was related to the Bourchier family, to which previous Earls of Essex had belonged: John Devereux, son of Walter Devereux who died at the Battle of Bosworth, married Cecily Bourchier, sister of Henry Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Essex.
Walter Devereux of Bodenham and Bromwich
In 1253 Walter Devereux was granted protection while overseas with the king in Gascony. Henry III arrived in Gascony in August 1253, and would remain there until a treaty was signed with Alphonso X in April 1254. Walter may have been injured during this expedition as on 26 July 1256 Walter Devereux is granted an exemption for life from being put on assizes, juries or recognitions, and from being made sheriff etc. against his will.