Hugh Le Despenser

Hugh Le Despenser (in full Hugh Le Despenser, earl of Winchester; b. 1262—d. Oct. 27, 1326, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Eng.), also known as Hugh the Elder, was summoned to Parliament as a baron in 1295. He fought in France and Scotland for Edward I and was…

…Edward found two new favourites—Hugh le Despenser and his son and namesake. When the king supported the younger Despenser’s territorial ambitions in Wales, Lancaster banished both Despensers. Edward then took up arms on their behalf. His opponents fell out among themselves, and he defeated and captured Lancaster at Boroughbridge,…

…father and son, both called Hugh Despenser. When Parliament met, the two were exiled, but they soon returned. In this brief civil war, which ended in 1322, Edward was victorious. He had Lancaster executed for treason after his ignominious defeat at Boroughbridge in 1322. In death Lancaster attracted a popular…