Research Notes:
In an Oxford DNB article, Lloyd states, [1]
Audley, James (d. 1272), magnate, was the son and heir of Henry Audley and Bertred, daughter of Ralph Mainwaring, county justice of Chester. He had paid homage to Henry III for his father's lands by 19 November 1246. … In 1244 Audley married Ela (d. 1299) daughter of William (II) Longespée (c. 1209–1250), claimant to the earldom of Salisbury and cousin of Henry III. The couple had five sons, James, Henry, William, Nicholas, and Hugh, who succeeded to the family estates, which were overwhelmingly concentrated in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Cheshire.
…
Audley almost certainly went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 1268, and as a crusader he received a judicial protection on 10 July 1270 to accompany the Lord Edward to the Holy Land. But he never went, as he was appointed Edward's justiciar for Ireland on or before 8 August. He held the post until his death in Ireland, which resulted from a broken neck, on or about 11 June 1272. He was succeeded by his son James, who did homage on 29 July 1272.
In an Oxford DNB article, Morgan states, [2]
Through his marriage to Ela, daughter of Sir William Longespée (d. 1250), James acquired the Oxfordshire manor of Stratton where he established a younger son, Hugh Audley (d. 1325). James's sister Emma had married Gruffudd Maelor, one of the rulers of northern Powys. However, James's sudden death after a fall from his horse in June 1272 inaugurated a period of crisis in the fortunes of the family, for his four sons James Audley (c.1251–1273), Henry Audley (c.1252–1276), William Audley (1254–1282), and Nicholas Audley first Lord Audley (c. 1258–1299), died in quick succession, three without heirs. William had drowned on the uncompleted boat-bridge across the Menai Strait during the rebellion of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Nicholas was summoned to the Salisbury parliament of 1297 (so attaining the dignity of Lord Audley), but his eldest son, Thomas Audley (1288–1308), also died without heir, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Nicholas Audley second Lord Audley (1289–1316). The marriage of the elder Nicholas to Katherine Giffard had brought new lands in Wales, the commotes of Hirfryn and Perfedd in Cantref Bychan; his second son's marriage to Joan Martin, countess of Lincoln (d. 1322), second wife and widow of Henry de Lacy, later brought extensive lands in Devon and Cemais in Wales.
[1] Simon Lloyd, "Audley, James, (d. 1272), " Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition), [Oxford_Dictionary_National_Biography], [OxfordDNB(UM)].
[2] Philip Morgan, "Audley [de Audley] Family," Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition), [Oxford_Dictionary_National_Biography], [OxfordDNB(UM)].