William de Reviers, 5th Earl of Devon (? –
10 September 1217), was the son of
Baldwin de Redvers, 1st Earl of Devon and Adelise Baluun. William de Redvers is also
William de Vernon, because he was brought up at
Vernon Castle, in
Normandy, the seat of his
grandfather.
He took part in
Richard the Lion-Hearted's second coronation, in 1194, when the Canopy was supported by four Earls; he consistently supported
King John. Nevertheless, at the end of John's life, the King permitted
Falkes de Breauté, one of his mercenary captains to seize the Earl's widowed daughter-in-law, force a marriage, and grab her dowry.
These events are also featured in the novel Leopards and Lilies by
Alfred Duggan.
Family and children
He was married to Mabile de Beaumont, daughter of
Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and granddaughter (on her mother's side) of
Reginald, Earl of Cornwall and had children:
