Hugh Despenser the Elder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh le Despenser
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| Earl of Winchester | |
Arms of Despenser: Quarterly 1st & 4th: Argent; 2nd & 3rd: Gules, a fret or, over all a bend sable
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| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Lewis de Bruges |
| Other names | The Elder Despenser |
| Born | 1 March 1261 |
| Died | 27 October 1326 (aged 65) Bristol, Gloucestershire |
| Wars and battles | Despenser War Isabella's Campaign Siege of Bristol † |
| Offices | Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports |
| Spouse(s) | Isabella de Beauchamp |
| Issue | Aline le Despenser Hugh Despenser the Younger Isabella le Despenser Philip le Despenser Margaret le Despenser Elizabeth le Despenser |
| Father | Hugh le Despenser, Baron le Despenser |
| Mother | Aline Basset |
Hugh le Despenser (born March 1, 1261 – died October 27, 1326) was an important person in English history. He was sometimes called "the Elder Despenser". For a time, he was the main advisor to King Edward II of England. He became a baron in 1295 and was made Earl of Winchester in 1322. He was captured by forces loyal to Sir Roger Mortimer and Queen Isabella. They were leading a rebellion against King Edward II. One day after being captured, Hugh le Despenser was hanged and then beheaded.
Life of Hugh le Despenser
Hugh le Despenser helped King Edward I many times. He served in battles and worked as a diplomat, helping with talks between countries. He became a baron in 1295. His son, Hugh Despenser the Younger, became a very close friend and advisor to King Edward II.
Hugh the Elder was very loyal to his son and to the King. This made other powerful nobles worried. Before this, his highest job was a "justice of the forests." This meant he helped manage the King's forests.
He was one of the few nobles who stayed loyal to King Edward II. This was during a time when many people were upset about the King's friend, Piers Gaveston. After Gaveston was executed in 1312, Hugh le Despenser became the King's loyal servant and main administrator. This meant he helped run the country.
However, other nobles became jealous of his power. Also, his actions caused problems for many people. Because of this, he and his son were sent away from England in 1321. Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent took his place as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. This was an important job protecting the English coast.
King Edward II found it hard to rule without them. So, he called them back to England a year later. This made Queen Isabella very angry. Her anger grew even more when Despenser was made Earl of Winchester in 1322. Many people accused Hugh the Elder of unfair actions during the next few years. These actions often involved taking money or land from others.
Hugh le Despenser's Death
Queen Isabella of England and Sir Roger Mortimer led a rebellion against King Edward II. They captured both Hugh le Despenser the Elder and his son, Hugh the Younger. Hugh the Elder was captured first during the Siege of Bristol. Queen Isabella tried to help him, but his enemies wanted him and his son to face trial and be executed. These enemies included Mortimer and Henry, Earl of Lancaster.
One day after being captured, Hugh the Elder was hanged in his armor in Bristol. This happened on October 27, 1326. After he was hanged, he was beheaded. His head was sent to be shown in Winchester, a city that had supported the King. Despenser's title of Earl of Winchester was taken away. It was not used again until 1472. His son, Hugh the Younger, was executed the next month in Hereford.
After Hugh le Despenser's death, many people received pardons. These were people he had wrongly accused or harmed.
Family Life
Hugh le Despenser married Isabel de Beauchamp. She was the daughter of William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick (who lived around 1238–1298). Her mother was Maud FitzJohn. Isabel had also been married before to Sir Patrick de Chaurces. Hugh and Isabel had two sons and several daughters, including:
- Hugh Despenser the Younger
- Philip le Despenser (who was the grandfather of Philip le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despenser)
- Isabel le Despenser, who married John Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings and later Ralph de Monthermer, 1st Baron Monthermer
- Margaret le Despenser, who married John de St Amand, 1st Baron Amand (1283/6–1330)
