Despenser's Crusade facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Despenser's Crusade
Part of the Hundred Years' War and the Western Schism
Map of English conquests in France from 1360 to 1453, shown in pink and in yellow in Flanders
Date December 1382 – September 1383 Location Western Flanders Result Franco-Flemish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England Ghent rebels Papal States	Kingdom of France County of Flanders Avignon Papacy
Commanders and leaders
Bishop Henry le Despenser Frans Ackerman Pope Urban VI	King Charles VI Count Louis of Flanders Antipope Clement VII

The Despenser's Crusade was a military journey led by an English bishop named Henry le Despenser in 1383. Its main goal was to help the city of Ghent in its fight against those who supported a different pope. This happened during a time when there were two popes, known as the Western Schism, and also during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

England supported Pope Urban VI in Rome, while France supported Antipope Clement VII, whose court was in Avignon. The crusade was popular with ordinary people at the time. However, some people, like John Wyclif, thought it was not a true religious mission. They believed it was more about the war between England and France.

Why the Crusade Happened

Trouble in Flanders

The County of Flanders, where Ghent is located, was an ally of France. A rebellion started in Flanders in 1379. England traded a lot of wool with Flanders, so the fighting there caused problems for English business.

In 1382, the people of Ghent rebelled against their ruler, Count Louis de Male. They asked England for help. The Ghent rebels, led by Philip van Artevelde, defeated Louis and took Bruges. But Louis soon got help from a French army. The Ghent army was badly beaten at the Battle of Roosebeke in November 1382, and Philip was killed.

Ghent had to agree to Louis's terms. They had to accept Clement as the true pope and fight against England. However, some Ghent ships escaped to England. A rebel leader named Frans Ackerman tried to get English support for their cause.

Debate in Parliament

In October 1383, the English Parliament met to decide how to pay for a military campaign. There were two main ideas:

• One idea, supported by John of Gaunt, was to send an army to Spain. John of Gaunt believed he should be the king of Castile (part of Spain).
• The other idea was to send an army to help Ghent in Flanders. This was supported by the House of Commons, a part of Parliament.

The Flanders plan was cheaper and could help protect Calais, an English port nearby. Parliament chose the Flanders plan. They decided to fund it and chose Henry le Despenser, the Bishop of Norwich, to lead the crusade. The bishop refused to have another general, Earl of Arundel, as his second-in-command.

Getting Ready for the Crusade

Church and Pope's Role

Pope Urban VI, whom England supported, offered special religious pardons (called indulgences) to people who gave money to fight against those who supported Clement VII. Bishop Despenser was put in charge of this in England.

Many people, especially commoners, gave money. They might have wanted to help Flanders because it was important for trade. In December 1382, Bishop Despenser formally promised to go on the crusade.

Some people, like John Wyclif, criticized how money was collected. They said some people were tricking others. Despenser promised that the crusade would only attack supporters of the "wrong" pope. He also said that if France changed its mind and supported Urban, the crusade would stop.

King and Parliament's Role

The English government provided weapons like bows and arrows. A merchant named Sir John Philpot helped manage the money and even paid for some soldiers and their transport.

Bishop Despenser chose several captains to lead the crusade, including Hugh Calveley. Many people joined the crusade. Some were not good soldiers, like monks who couldn't fight, young apprentices, and even criminals. The crusaders wore red crosses, which later became a symbol for England.

At the last minute, King Richard II tried to stop the crusade. He wanted Despenser to wait for an experienced general to join. But the bishop ignored the king and set off.

The Campaign Begins

The crusade gathered at Sandwich and sailed to Calais in May 1383. The bishop led them in a successful attack on Gravelines.

Siege of Ypres

Ypres during the Bishop of Norwich's siege. This picture shows the siege happening.

The crusader army joined the Ghent militia in June. They decided to attack Ypres, a city in Flanders. Even though Ypres supported the same pope as the crusaders, they still attacked it.

During the siege of Ypres, there were problems with soldiers who were not paid. Despenser ordered those who weren't paid to go back to England. These soldiers were mostly interested in stealing things.

Some captains wrote to the king, saying the campaign was failing because the bishop wasn't leading it well. When a French army came to help Ypres, Despenser decided to stop the siege on August 8, after eight weeks. One of his captains, Hugh Calveley, suggested attacking France instead. But the crusade leaders disagreed. Despenser took his forces to Gravelines, while other captains were paid to give up the land they had captured and go home.

Truce and Return

After burning Gravelines, Despenser made a deal with the French and sailed his army back to England by September. He said he had to leave because his soldiers were restless and he didn't have enough supplies. He also claimed the truce was about to end.

After the Crusade

When Despenser and his captains returned, they were called before the king and Parliament.

Bishop Despenser's Trial

The bishop was accused of several things. The main accusations were:

• He promised to serve the king with 2,500 soldiers and archers for a year, but his army was smaller and returned in less than six months.
• He refused to take experienced captains with him, even though he was supposed to.

Despenser defended himself. He said the men of Ghent advised him to attack Ypres. He also said that losses to his army forced him to stop the siege. He claimed the truce with the French might lead to peace. He also said he had enough soldiers at Ypres, even if they didn't all gather at Calais first. He admitted receiving letters asking him to accept a second-in-command, but said he asked the king to appoint one.

Despenser was found guilty. He lost control of his church lands for two years and had to pay back the money the expedition cost.

Punishment for the Captains

The captains of the crusade were accused of taking bribes, totaling 18,000 gold coins. They didn't deny it, but said the money was to make up for valuable horses they had to leave behind. Five of the captains were put in prison and fined.

Images for kids

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  Coat of arms of John of Gaunt, showing his claim to rule Castile (castles) and León (purple lions). He wanted a crusade to Spain.