Robert Despenser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Despenser
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The Château de Tancarville in Normandy.
Despenser was a tenant of the lords of Tancarville. |
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| Royal steward | |
| In office c. 1088 – c. 1098 |
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| Preceded by | none |
| Personal details | |
| Born | unknown - before 1066 Normandy |
| Died | c. 1098 England |
Robert Despenser was an important person in England after the Normans took over. He was a Norman who held a special job for the king and owned a lot of land. He was also known by other names like Robert Despensator or Robert Dispenser. He lived in the Middle Ages and died sometime after 1098.
Robert Despenser's Life and Work
Robert Despenser was the brother of Urse d'Abetot. Urse was a "sheriff" in Worcestershire soon after the Normans conquered England. A sheriff was like a top official in a county. Both Robert and his brother came from Normandy, which is a region in France. In Normandy, they were "tenants" of the powerful lords of Tancarville. This means they held land from these lords.
Robert Despenser had an important job for King William II. He was the king's "royal steward" or "dispenser." This job involved managing the king's household and supplies. His last name, Despenser, actually came from this important job. We know Robert was married, but we don't know his wife's name for sure.
Lands and Property
In 1086, Robert Despenser was listed in the Domesday Book. This book was a huge survey of land and property in England. It was ordered by King William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book showed that Robert owned land as a "tenant-in-chief" in several areas. These areas included Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Being a tenant-in-chief meant he held land directly from the king. He also held land in Worcestershire from the Bishop of Worcester.
Robert Despenser was still alive in 1098. Around that time, he gave some land back to Westminster Abbey. He likely died not long after this. In Normandy, Robert also helped a church called the Priory of St. Barbe-en-Auge. The Tancarville lords, who were his landlords, had started this church.
What Robert Despenser Left Behind
It seems Robert Despenser did not have any sons who could inherit his lands. So, his brother Urse became his main heir. An "heir" is the person who legally receives property or a title after someone dies. Robert might have had a daughter, because some of his lands later went to the Marmion family. However, it's also possible the Marmions got the lands by marrying a daughter of Urse.
Robert's job as royal steward might have also gone to his brother Urse. Later, this important job passed down to Urse's family. A writer from the Middle Ages named Orderic Vitalis wrote about Robert Despenser. He said that Robert was the one who gave Ranulf Flambard his nickname, Flambard. This nickname means "torch-bearer" or "fiery." It was given to Flambard because he had a very strong and energetic personality.
