Hugh le Despenser, 1st Lord Despenser | |
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Arms of Despencer: Quarterly 1st & 4th: Argent; 2nd & 3rd: Gules, a fret or, over all a ribbon sable
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Born | Hugh le Despenser c. 1286 England |
Died | 24 November 1326 (aged 39–40) Hereford, England |
Cause of death | Hanged, drawn and quartered for High treason |
Resting place | Possibly Hulton Abbey, Staffordshire, England |
Title | 1st Lord Despenser |
Known for | Being a favourite of Edward II |
Nationality | English |
Predecessor | Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester |
Spouse(s) | Eleanor de Clare (m. 1306) |
Parents | Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester, and Isabella de Beauchamp |
Occupation | Knight of Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, King's Chamberlain, and constable and keeper of various castles and lands in England and Wales |
Hugh le Despenser, 1st Lord Despenser (c. 1286 – 24 November 1326), also referred to as "the younger Despenser", was the son and heir of Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester (the elder Despenser) by his wife Isabella de Beauchamp daughter of William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick. He rose to national prominence as royal chamberlain and a favourite of Edward II of England. A series of subsequent controversies eventually led to him being hanged, drawn and quartered.
Hugh le Despenser the younger was knight of Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, King's Chamberlain, Constable of Odiham Castle, Keeper of Porchester Castle and town, Keeper of the royal Bristol Castle, the town and barton of Bristol and, in Wales, Keeper of Dryslwyn Castle and town and of Dryslwyn, and the region of Cantref Mawr, Carmarthenshire.
Also in Wales, by marriage he became Lord of Glamorgan, seated at Cardiff Castle.
He was also Keeper of the castles, manor, and lands of Brecknock, Hay, Cantref Selyf, etc., in County Brecon, and, in England of Huntington, Herefordshire.