Edward le Despenser

Arms of Despencer: Quarterly 1st & 4th: Argent; 2nd & 3rd: Gules, a fret or, over all a ribbon sable

Edward le Despenser (1310–1342) was the third eldest son of Hugh le Despenser the Younger by his wife Eleanor de Clare.^[1]

His father is famous for being the favourite of Edward II of England, and consequently being executed for it. Through his mother, he was a great-grandson of Edward I of England.

Early life

Although his exact whereabouts before the execution of his father are unknown, it is believed that he was among the children living with their mother Eleanor during her imprisonment in the Tower of London (November 1326 - February 1328).^[2] He was clearly too young to be seen as a threat to Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer, unlike his older brother, Hugh (who was imprisoned by the two in 1327).

Marriage and children

After coming into his estates in November 1334, he soon married Anne Ferrers of Groby, (sister of Henry, Lord Ferrers). They had four surviving sons:

• Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer - he inherited the Despenser estates from his paternal uncle Hugh.
• Hugh le Despenser
• Thomas le Despenser
• Henry le Despenser

Later life

Like a few of his brothers, Edward served in Edward III's military campaigns. In 1342, he accompanied his older brother Hugh to mainland Europe.^[2] Although they were originally heading for Gascony, they were diverted to Brest to aid King Edward's ally the Countess of Montfort in the Breton Civil War. On September 30, 1342, he and his brother's forces joined the English and helped achieve a victory against the French army at Morlaix. Unfortunately, Edward died during the battle.^[2] He was the highest-ranking English casualty there.

Ancestry

References