Despencer

01. Thomas Le Despencer ^[1] was born abt. 1169 in Lincolnshire, England.

02. Hugh Le Despencer ^[1] son of Thomas was born abt. 1197 in Lincolnshire, England.  He was a wealthy landowner in the East Midlands of England, and served as High Sheriff of Berkshire.  He held eleven manors in England: in Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Rutland. He is reported to have been instrumental in the repairs of 1232 to Porchester Castle in Hampshire, a site first used by third-century Romans. Sir Hugh had this ever-evolving castle updated to include a new forebuilding to the keep and portcullises for the gatehouses, and completed repairs to the wall and hall.  He died on February 23, 1237.  

03. Hugh Le Despencer ^[1] son of Hugh was born bef. 1223.  He was an important ally of Simon de Montfort during the reign of Henry III. He served briefly as Justiciar of England in 1260 and as Constable of the Tower of London.  He married Aline Bassett, daughter of Sir Philip Bassett and Hawise De Lovaine.   He remained allied with Montfort to the end, and was present at the Battle of Lewes. He was killed fighting on de Montfort's side at the Battle of Evesham in August, 1265. He was slain by Roger Mortimer, 1st Baron Wigmore; this caused a feud to begin between the Despencer and the Mortimer families. I descend from 3 of Hugh and Aline's children who are noted below.

04a. Hugh Le Despencer ^[1] son of Hugh and Aline was born on March 1, 1261.  Hugh is often referred to as "the Elder Despencer".  He married Isabella De Beauchamp, daughter of William De Beauchamp and Maud FitzJohn.  When Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, led a rebellion against her husband Edward, they captured both Despencers-first the elder, later the younger. Queen Isabella interceded for Hugh the elder, but his enemies, notably Roger Mortimer and Henry, Earl of Lancaster, insisted both father and son should face trial and execution.  He was beheaded on October 27, 1326.  

04b. Eleanor Le Despencer, ^[1] son of Hugh and Aline was born abt. 1240.  She married Hugh De Courtenay (1250-1292), daughter of John De Courtenay and Isabel De Vere.  I descend from their 2 daughters (1) Isabell De Courtenay (c1283-) who married John De St. John and (2) Egeline De Courtenay (-1335) who married Robert De Scales.

04c. Ann Le Despencer, ^[1] daughter of Hugh and Aline was born abt. 1248.  She married Sir William De Ferrers (c1240-1287), son of William De Ferrers and Margaret De Quincy.  I descend from their son Sir William De Ferrers (1271-1324) who married Ellen De Savage.

05. Hugh Le Despencer ^[1] son of Hugh (1261-1326) and Isabella was born abt. 1286.  Hugh is often referred to as "the Younger Despencer". He married Eleanor De Clare, daughter of Earl Gilbert De Clare and Princess Joan of Acre who was the daughter of King Edward I. He rose to national prominence as royal chamberlain and a favorite of Edward II of England. A series of subsequent controversies eventually led to his being hanged, drawn and quartered.  He died on November 24, 1326. Click here for a Wikipedia biography.  I descend from two of Hugh and Alinore's children who are noted below.

06a. Sir Edward Le Despencer ^[1] son of Hugh and Alionore was born in 1310. After coming into his estates in November 1334, he married Anne De Ferrers, daughter of Sir William De Ferrers (1271-1324) and Ellen De Savage.  Edward served in King Edward III's military campaigns,  He died on September 30, 1342 in the Breton Civil War and was the highest ranked casualty there.

06b. Isabel Le Despencer ^[1] daughter of Hugh and Alionore was born abt 1313.  She married Richard FitzAlan (1313-1376), son of Edmund FitzAlan and Alice De Warenne.  I descend from their daughter Isabel FitzAlan who married John Le Strange.

07. Sir Edward Le Despencer ^[1] son of Edward (1310-1342) and Anne was born on March 24, 1335.  He married Elizabeth De Burghersh, daughter of Bartholomew De Burghersh.  He went with Edward the Black Prince to France, and was present at the Battle of Poitiers. In recognition of his conduct in the French wars, he was summoned to Parliament as a baron in 1357. At the same time, he also became a Knight of the Garter. He died on November 11, 1375.

08. Margaret Le Despencer ^[1] daughter of Edward and Elizabeth was born abt. 1360 and died on November 3, 1415.  She married Sir Robert De Ferrers.  I descend from their son Sir Edmund Ferrers  (c1387-1435) who married Ellen Roche.