Vaux was a son of Oliver de Vaux and Petronilla de Craon. John was one of the retinue of Lord Edward until 1259, probably serving in Edward's campaign in Wales. Due to the dismissal of Roger de Leybourne from the service of Lord Edward in 1262, he joined with several other nobles of the baronial opposition under Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. In June 1263, he was one of the nobles who arrested Peter of Aigueblanche, Bishop of Hereford. Vaux returned to royal service to King Henry III of England and Lord Edward, by October 1263. Vaux was one of the sealers of the agreement between Henry III and King Louis IX of France in December 1263.