Isabel Despenser, Countess of Warwick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Isabel le Despencer
Countess of Warwick and Worcester
Drawing of Isabel from the Beauchamp Pageant, c. 1483–1494
Baroness Burghersh
Reign	1414-27 December 1439
Predecessor	Richard le Despencer, 4th Baron Burghersh
Successor	Henry Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick
Born	26 July 1400
Died	27 December 1439 (aged 39)
Spouse(s)	Richard Beauchamp, 1st Earl of Worcester Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick
Issue	Elizabeth Beauchamp, Baroness Bergavenny Henry Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick Anne Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick
Father	Thomas Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester
Mother	Constance of York, Countess of Gloucester

Isabel le Despenser was an important noblewoman in England during the 1400s. She was known as the Countess of Worcester and Warwick. Isabel was born on July 26, 1400. This was six months after her father, Thomas le Despenser, was executed. He had been involved in a plot against King Henry IV.

Isabel's mother was Constance of York. Constance was a granddaughter of King Edward III. Because her father died young and without other heirs, Isabel became a very wealthy heiress. This meant she inherited a lot of land and important titles. She was also a Lady of the Order of the Garter, a special group of knights and ladies.

Isabel's Marriages and Family Life

Isabel le Despenser married two times in her life. Both of her husbands were named Richard Beauchamp. They were also cousins to each other.

First Marriage: Richard, Earl of Worcester

Isabel first married Richard Beauchamp, 1st Earl of Worcester. He was born in 1394. Sadly, Richard died in 1422 during a battle called the Siege of Meaux.

• They had one daughter together:
  • Elizabeth de Beauchamp was born in 1415.
  • Elizabeth later married Edward Neville.
  • They had several children, continuing the family line.

Second Marriage: Richard, Earl of Warwick

After her first husband died, Isabel married his cousin. This was Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick. He was born in 1382. This Richard was a very powerful and famous nobleman.

• Isabel and Richard had two children:
  • Henry de Beauchamp was born in 1425.
  • Henry became the 14th Earl of Warwick after his father.
  • He was later given an even higher title, becoming the 1st Duke of Warwick.
  • Henry married Cecily Neville. They had one daughter, Anne, who sadly died as a child.

• • Anne de Beauchamp was Isabel's second child.
  • Anne became the 16th Countess of Warwick. This happened after her brother Henry and his young daughter passed away.
  • Anne married Richard Neville.
  • Richard Neville was a very powerful man in England. He was known as the Kingmaker.
  • He earned this nickname because he played a huge role in deciding who would be king during the Wars of the Roses.
  • Anne and Richard had two daughters. Both daughters married very important noblemen.
    • Isabel Neville married George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. George was the brother of King Edward IV.
    • Anne Neville first married Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales. He was the son of King Henry VI.
    • After Edward died, Anne Neville married King Richard III. Richard III became King of England.

Isabel le Despenser died on December 27, 1439, when she was 39 years old. Her life connected many important noble families in England.