Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 1541-1576

Paternal Family Tree: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex

Maternal Family Tree: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex

On 1st July 1536 [his father] Richard Devereux [aged 23] and [his mother] Dorothy Hastings [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 49] and [his grandmother] Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon [aged 53]. They were half second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 16th September 1541 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex was born to Richard Devereux [aged 28] and Dorothy Hastings [aged 25]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.78%.

On or after 16th September 1541 [his mother] Dorothy Hastings [deceased] died.

After 20th February 1547 [his father] Richard Devereux [deceased] died.

On 17th September 1558 [his grandfather] Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford [aged 70] died. His succeeded grandson Walter [aged 17] succeeded 2nd Viscount Hereford, 11th Baron Ferrers of Chartley.

Around 1561 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 19] and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Hereford. They were fourth cousins.

In January 1563 [his daughter] Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire was born to Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 21] and [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 19] at Chartley Castle [Map]. She married (1) 10th January 1581 Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick, son of Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez and Elizabeth Baldry Baroness Rich Leez, and had issue (2) 26th December 1605 her third cousin Charles Blount 1st Earl Devonshire, son of James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy and Catherine Leigh Baroness Mountjoy, and had issue.

Around 1564 [his daughter] Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland was born to Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 22] and [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 20]. She married (1) 17th July 1583 her fifth cousin Thomas Perrot and had issue (2) 1594 her third cousin once removed Henry "Wizard Earl" Percy 9th Earl of Northumberland, son of Henry Percy 8th Earl of Northumberland and Katherine Neville Countess Northumberland, and had issue.

On 10th November 1565 [his son] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex was born to Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 24] and [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 22]. He married 1590 his half fourth cousin once removed Frances Walsingham Countess Essex and had issue.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In 1568 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 26] was entrusted with the custody of Mary Queen of Scots [aged 25].

Rising of the North

In 1569 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 27] provided signal service in suppressing the Northern Rebellion of 1569, serving as high marshal of the field under Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick [aged 39] and Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 57].

In 1569 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 27] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire which post he held for life.

In 1570 [his son] Walter Devereux was born to Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 28] and [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 26]. He married 1589 Margaret Dakins.

On 28th January 1571 Anne Bourchier 7th Baroness Bourchier [aged 54] died from a fall from a horse at Benington, Hertfordshire. Her succeeded first cousin twice removed Walter [aged 29] succeeded 8th Baron Bourchier. [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 27] by marriage Baroness Bourchier.

On 4th May 1572 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 30] was created 1st Earl Essex. [his wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 28] by marriage Countess Essex.

On 17th June 1572 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 30] was appointed 355th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 38].

Around 1575 based on a work of 1572.Unknown Painter. Portrait of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 33].

July 1575 Rathlin Island Massacre

Before 25th July 1575 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 33] ordered Francis Drake [aged 35] and John Norreys [aged 28] to confront Scottish refugees on Rathlin Island. On 25th July 1575 the garrison surrendered.

After 26th July 1575 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 33] wrote to Francis Walsingham [aged 43] that Sorley Boy MacDonnell watched the massacre from the mainland helplessly and was "like to run mad from sorrow".

On 22nd September 1576 Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex [aged 35] died. His succeeded son Robert [aged 10] succeeded 2nd Earl Essex, 3rd Viscount Hereford, 12th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, 9th Baron Bourchier.

On 21st September 1578 Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester [aged 46] and [his former wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 34] were married secretly much to the anguish of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 45] who developed a deep hatred of Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester. She by marriage Countess of Leicester. Roger North 2nd Baron North [aged 48] was present. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland. They were fifth cousins.

Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'

This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Around April 1589 Christopher Blount [aged 24] and [his former wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 45] were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

On 25th December 1634 [his former wife] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 91] died. She was buried at the Beauchamp Chapel, St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map] with her husband Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester - see Monument [Map] and Inscription [Map].

Ancestors of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 1541-1576

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Devereux 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Ferrers 6th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ferrers 7th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Helen Roche Baroness Ferrers Chartley

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Ferrers 8th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandFather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Mortimer 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Cecily Bourchier Baroness Ferrers Chartley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Woodville Viscountess Bourchier 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Father: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 3rd Baron Grey Ruthyn 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Astley Baroness Grey Ruthyn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Ferrers 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Mowbray Baroness Berkeley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

GrandMother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bonville 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Grey 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Harrington 5th Baron Harington 13 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington 14 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks

Great x 1 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Hastings

Great x 3 Grandfather: Leonard Hastings 5 x Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Sutton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William I of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings 6 x Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Camoys 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Louches Baroness Camoys

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandFather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Hungerford 2nd Baron Hungerford 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Botreaux 4th Baroness Botreaux Baroness Hungerford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Hungerford 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Moleyns Baroness Hungerford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Poynings 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Berkeley Countess Arundel 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Mother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Woodville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bittelsgate

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp

Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brienne

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sueva Orsini 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 1541-1576