Isabel LE DESPENSER

Family/Spouse: Sir John DE HASTINGS. John (son of Sir Henry DE HASTINGS and Joan DE CANTELOU) was born in 1262; died between 10 Feb 1312 and 1313. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isabel married Ralph DE MONTHERMER before 20 Nov 1318. Ralph was born in 1262; died on 5 Apr 1325; was buried in Grey Friars Church, Salisbury. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Baron Despenser
• Fact: 1st Earl of Winchester

Notes:

Hugh and his father were beheaded in 1326. Both father and son were loyal to the king, Edward II, the young Despenser being his especial favorite. This engendered great jealousy on the part of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, cousin-german to the King, and first prince of the blood, the most opulent and powreful subject in England, possessed in his own right of no less than 6 earldoms, who raised an army against the king and was joined by many of the barons who wre dissatisfied with King Edward. In the civil war which followed, Lancaster was defeated and captured and condemned by court-martial and beheaded. The two Despencers were condemned to death by the rebellious barons whithout trial, or witness, or accusation, or answer.

Excerpts from Blood Royal: Hugh was hanged on a gallows 50 feet high, 24 Nov 1326. His head was set up on London Bridge, 4 Dec., and his quarters in four different places (towns). Some years afterwards his bones were collected, and bur. in Tewkesbury Abbey. The permit for his bones to be collected and buried was given on 15 Dec 1330.

Hugh married Isabel DE BEAUCHAMP in 1286. Isabel (daughter of William DE BEAUCHAMP and Lady Maud FITZ JOHN) was born in Warwick, England; died about 30 May 1306 in Elmley Castle, Worcestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]