Biography of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

In 1260 [his father] Hugh Despencer (age 36) and [his mother] Aline Basset (age 39) were married. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

On 01 Mar 1261 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester was born to Hugh Despencer (age 37) and Aline Basset (age 40).

On 29 Oct 1271 [his step-father] Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 26) and [his mother] Aline Basset (age 50) were married. She the widow of [his father] Hugh Despencer. The difference in their ages was 24 years; she, unusually, being older than him. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Around 1280 Patrick Chaworth (age 30) and [his future wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [his future father-in-law] William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 43) and [his future mother-in-law] Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick (age 42).

Before 1286 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 24) and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer (age 22) were married. She the daughter of William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 48) and Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick (age 47). He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

In 1286 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 24) and [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer (age 23).

On 30 Dec 1292 Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 11) and [his step-daughter] Maud Chaworth (age 10) were married. He the son of Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster (age 47) and Blanche Capet Queen Navarre (age 44). He a grandson of King Henry III of England.

In 1298 [his father-in-law] William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 61) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 26) succeeded 10th Earl Warwick.

                    On 22 Jul 1298 King Edward I of England (age 59) defeated the Scottish army led by William Wallace during the Battle of Falkirk at Falkirk [Map] using archers to firstly attack the Scottish shiltrons with the heavy cavalry with infantry completing the defeat.
                
                    John de Graham and John Stewart of Bonkyll (age 52) were killed.
                
                    The English were described in the Falkirk Roll that lists 111 men with their armorials including:
                
                    [his brother-in-law] Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 26).
                
                    Walter Beauchamp (age 55).
                
                    [his step-father] Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 53).
                
                    Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex (age 49).
                
                    Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 24).
                
                    Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 37).
                
                    William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby (age 26).
                
                    Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley (age 52).
                
                    Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley (age 27).
                
                    Henry Grey 1st Baron Grey of Codnor (age 43).
                
                    Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton (age 58).
                
                    John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton (age 30).
                
                    John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 29).
                
                    Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 48).
                
                    Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 11).
                
                    William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 43).
                
                    John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 42).
                
                    Nicholas Segrave (age 42).
                
                    Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford (age 41).
                
                    Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby (age 30).
                
                    Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 20).
                
                    Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 17).
                
                    John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey (age 67).
                
                    Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 25).
                
                    Hugh Courtenay 9th Earl Devon (age 21).
                
                    Richard Fitzalan 8th Earl of Arundel (age 31).
                
                    Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 19).
                
                    John Capet II Duke Brittany (age 59).
                
                    Philip Darcy (age 40).
                
                    Robert Fitzroger.
                
                    Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter (age 51), or possiby a Roger Fitzwalter?.
                
                    Simon Fraser.
                
                    Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 23).
                
                    John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell (age 30), and.
                
                    Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 47).
                
                    William Scrope (age 53) was knighted.
                
                    John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 29) fought.
                
                    John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel (age 44) fought.

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After 03 May 1302 [his son-in-law] Edward Burnell (age 16) and [his daughter] Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell were married. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 41) and [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer (age 39). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 30 May 1306 [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer (age 43) died.

After 14 Jul 1306 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 20) and [his daughter-in-law] Eleanor Clare Baroness Zouche Mortimer (age 13) were married. She the daughter of Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford and Joan of Acre Countess Gloucester and Hertford (age 34). He the son of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 45) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

                    Fine Rolls Edward II. On 07 Feb 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 13) returned from their wedding in Boulogne sur Mer [Map] to Dover, Kent [Map].
                
                    07 Feb 1308. Be it remembered that on Wednesday after the Purification, Edward II, the king, returning from beyond seas, to wit, from Boulogne sur Mer [Map], where he took to wife Isabel, daughter of the king of France (age 39), touched at Dover, Kent [Map] in his barge about the ninth hour [1500], Hugh le Despenser (age 46) and the lord of Castellione of Gascony being in his company, and the Queen a little afterward touched there with certain ladies accompanying her, and because the great seal which had been taken with him beyond seas then remained in the keeping of the keeper of the wardrobe who could not arrive on that day, no writ was sealed from the hour of the king's coming until Friday following on which day the bishop of Chichester, chancellor, about the ninth hour [1500] delivered to the king in his chamber in Dover castle [Map] the seal used in England during the king's absence, and the king, receiving the same, delivered it to William de Melton (age 33), controller of the wardrobe, and forthwith delivered with his own hand to the chancellor the great seal under the seal of J. de Benstede, keeper of the wardrobe, and Master John Painter Fraunceis, in the presence of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (age 30), Peter, Earl of Cornwall (age 24), and Hugh le Despenser, William Martyn and William Inge, knights, and Adam de Osgodby, clerk; and the chancellor on that day after lunch in his room (hospicio) in God's House, Dover, sealed writs with the great seal.

Before 1310 [his son-in-law] John Hastings 13th Baron Bergavenny 1st Baron Hastings (age 47) and [his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny were married. She by marriage Baroness Hastings, Baroness Bergavenny Feudal Creation. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 48) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

                    Close Rolls Edward II 1307-1313. On 16 Jan 1310 King Edward II of England (age 25). Stamford [Map]. To the Sheriff of York. Order to proclaim that the king does not intend to change the money current in the Kingdom in the late King's time, as had been rumoured, and to forbid anyone from thinking little of it, whereby victuals and other necessaries may be sold more dearly.
                
                    The like to all the Sheriffs of England [Ibid].
                
                    Enrolment of deed of Peter de Gavaston (age 26), knight, surrendering to the king the castle, manor, and honour of Knaresborough [Map], with the free chase of Knaresborough, and the manors of Routheclyve and Auldburgh, lately granted to him by the King for his lifetime. Witnesses: Gilbert de Clare 8th Earl Gloucester 7th Earl Hertford (age 18), Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 59), John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey (age 23), John de Brittania, Earl of Richmond, Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 48), Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 36), Robert son of Walter, Robert son of Payn, William de Burford, William Inge. Dated at Stamford [Map] July 26, 3 Edward II.
                
                    Enrolment of like surrender by the said Peter of the county of Gaure and the castles of Talanon, Tantalon, and Mauleon, the provostships (preposituras) and Camparian(um) called 'la Cointal' and of the city of Bayonne, the manor of Erebafaveyra, Born, Comtad, Salmun, Dagenes, and the island of Oleron, and the lands of Marempne and of Lancras in Saintogne, and all rights, appurtenances, etc., etc., thereto pertaining to the king, which the king lately granted him for life. Witnesses as above. Dated August 4, 3 Edward II.
                
                    Memorandum, that this deed was delivered to the king in his chamber in the House of the Friars Preachers, Stamford [Map] at Stamford, by the hands of the said Peter and the king delivered the said deed to J his chancellor, to be enrolled in the chancery, and it was afterwards delivered to Ingelard de Warle, keeper of the King's Wardrobe to be kept in the king's wardrobe, but the king's charters that the said Peter hereof were not then restored.[CONTINUES].

Around 1313 [his son-in-law] Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford (age 43) and [his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny were married. [his former wife] She by marriage Baroness Monthermer. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 51) and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 20 May 1316 [his son-in-law] Ralph Camoys 1st Baron Camoys and [his daughter] Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Camoys were married. She by marriage Baroness Camoys. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 55) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

In 1321 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 35) and his son Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 59) were exiled.

On 10 May 1322 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 61) was created 1st Earl Winchester.

Froissart Book 1 Chapter 11. Oct 1326. AND then this tiding spread about the realm so much, that at the last it came to the knowledge of the lords by whom the queen (age 31) was called again into England. And they apparelled them in all haste to come to Edward (age 13) her son, whom they would have to their sovereign lord. And the first that came and gave them most comfort was Henry earl of Lancaster (age 45) with the wry neck, called Tort Col, who was brother to Thomas earl of Lancaster, beheaded as ye have heard herebefore, who was a good knight and greatly recommended, as ye shall hear after in this history. This earl Henry came to the queen with great company of men of war, and after him came from one part and other earls, barons, knights and squires, with so much people that they thought them clean out of perils, and always increased their power as they went forward. Then they took counsel among them that they should ride straight to the town of Bristow [Map], whereas the king (age 42) was, and with him the Spencers. The which was a good town and a strong, and well closed, standing on a good port of the sea, and a strong castle, the sea beating round about it. And therein was the king and Sir Hugh Spencer the elder (age 65), who was about ninety of age, and [his son] Sir Hugh Spencer (age 40) his son, who was chief governour of the king and counselled him in all his evil deeds. Also there was the [his grandson-in-law] earl of Arundel (age 20), who had wedded the [his granddaughter] daughter (age 14) of sir Hugh Spencer, and di at Bristow, and besieged the town round about as near as they might: and the king and sir Hugh Spencer the younger held them in the castle [Map], and the old sir Hugh Spencer and the earl of Arundel (age 41) held them in the town. And when the people of the town saw the great power that the queen was of (for almost all England was of her accord), and perceived what peril and danger evidently they were in, they took counsel among themselves and determined that they would yield up the town to the queen, so that their lives and goods might be saved. And so they sent to treat with the queen and her council in this matter; but the queen nor her council would not agree thereto without she might do with sir Hugh Spencer and with the earl of Arundel what it pleased her. When the people of the town saw they could have no peace otherwise, nor save the town nor their goods nor their lives, in that distress they accorded to the queen and opened the gates, so that the queen and sir John of Hainault (age 38), and all her barons, knights and squires, entered into the town and took their lodgings within, as many as might, and the residue without. Then sir Hugh Spencer and the earl of Arundel were taken and brought before the queen, to do her pleasure with them. Then there was brought to the queen her own children, John her son (age 10) and her two daughters [Note. Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 8) and Joan of the Tower Queen Consort Scotland (age 5)], the which were found there in the keeping of the said sir Hugh Spencer, whereof the queen had great joy, for she had not seen them long 'before. Then the king might have great sorrow and sir Hugh Spencer the younger, who were fast enclosed in the strong castle, and the most part of all the realm turned to the queen's part and to Edward her eldest son.

Froissart Book 1 Chapter 12. When the queen (age 31) and her barons and all her company were lodged at their ease, then they besieged the castle [Map] as near as they might. The queen caused sir Hugh Spencer (age 65) the elder and the earl of Arundel (age 41) to be brought forth before Edward her son (age 13) and all the barons that were there present, and said how that she and her son should take right and law on them according to their deserts. Then sir Hugh Spencer said, 'Madam, God be to you a good judge and give you good judgment¹, and if we cannot have it in this world, I pray God we may have it in another.' Then stept forth Sir Thomas Wake (age 29), a good knight and marshal of the host, and there openly he recounted their deeds in writing, and then turned him to another ancient knight to the intent that he should bring him on that case fauty¹, and to declare what should be done with such persons, and what judgment they should have for such causes. Then the said knight counselled with other barons and knights, and so reported their opinions, the which was, how they had well deserved death for divers horrible deeds, the which they have commised, for all the trespass rehearsed before to justify to be of truth;³ wherefore they have deserved for the diversities of their trespasses to have judgment in three divers manners-first, to be drawn, and after to be headed, and then to be hanged on the gibbet. This in likewise as they were judged so it was done and executed before the castle of Bristow [Map] in the sight of the king and of [his son] sir Hugh Spencer the younger (age 40). This judgment was done in the year of our Lord MCCCXXVI., on Saint Denis' day in October [Note. Saint Denis' day is 09 Oct not 27 Oct?].

Note 1. This should be, 'God give us a good judge and good judgment '; but Verard's edition, from which the translation was made, has 'vous' for 'nous.'

Note 2. This appears to mean, ' To the intent that he should find him guilty on the charge' ('fauty' for 'faulty'); but the original means, 'To the intent that he should declare upon his fealty (féaulté) what should be done with such persons,' etc.

Note 3. Or rather as follows: 'That the accused had well deserved death for divers horrible deeds which they had heard in that place rehearsed, and held them for true and manifest.'

Lanercost Chronicle. [27 Oct 1326]. Shortly afterwards Sir Hugh Despenser (age 65) the elder, Earl of Winchester, was captured, and drawn at Bristol in his coat of arms (so that those arms should never again be borne in England), and afterwards hanged and then beheaded.

On 27 Oct 1326 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 65) was hanged at Bristol, Gloucestershire [Map]. Earl Winchester, Baron Despencer forfeit as a result of attainder.

[his daughter] Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Camoys was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer.

[his son] Philip Despencer was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer.

[his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp Baroness Monthermer.

Royal Ancestors of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Royal Descendants of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Ancestors of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326