Hugh le Despenser I
Encyclopedia
Sir Hugh le Despenser was a wealthy landowner in the East Midlands
of England
, and served as High Sheriff of Berkshire
.
He was probably the son of a Thomas Despencer, and brother to both Thomas, who died before October 1218, and Rohaise, who married Stephen de Segrave. It is said that he married a daughter of Saier de Quincy (died 1219) and Margaret de Beaumont (died 1234). Hugh and his unidentified wife probably had at least three children: Pernell, who married Geoffrey Savage; an unknown daughter, who married Roger St. John; and Hugh le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer
(died 1265).
He was a descendant of a noble family who came to England from the same location as William the Conqueror and at the same time. This family, surnamed De Albetot, became William's Stewards. Sir Hugh was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire
and Shropshire
in 1222 and High Sheriff of Berkshire
in 1226 and 1238.
He held eleven manors in England: in Leicestershire
, Yorkshire
, Lincolnshire
, and Rutland
. He is reported to have been instrumental in the repairs of 1232 to Porchester Castle in Hampshire
, a site first used by third-century Romans
. Sir Hugh had this ever-evolving castle updated to include a new forebuilding to the keep and portcullises for the gatehouses, and completed repairs to the wall and hall.
Among his descendants were the infamous Despensers that became favourites of Edward II
.
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and served as High Sheriff of Berkshire
High Sheriff of Berkshire
The High Sheriff of Berkshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'....
.
He was probably the son of a Thomas Despencer, and brother to both Thomas, who died before October 1218, and Rohaise, who married Stephen de Segrave. It is said that he married a daughter of Saier de Quincy (died 1219) and Margaret de Beaumont (died 1234). Hugh and his unidentified wife probably had at least three children: Pernell, who married Geoffrey Savage; an unknown daughter, who married Roger St. John; and Hugh le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer
Hugh le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer
Sir Hugh was an important ally of Simon de Montfort during the reign of Henry III. He served briefly as Justiciar of England in 1260 and as Constable of the Tower of London....
(died 1265).
He was a descendant of a noble family who came to England from the same location as William the Conqueror and at the same time. This family, surnamed De Albetot, became William's Stewards. Sir Hugh was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire
High Sheriff of Staffordshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
and Shropshire
High Sheriff of Shropshire
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1222 and High Sheriff of Berkshire
High Sheriff of Berkshire
The High Sheriff of Berkshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'....
in 1226 and 1238.
He held eleven manors in England: in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, and Rutland
Rutland
Rutland is a landlocked county in central England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire and southeast by Peterborough and Northamptonshire....
. He is reported to have been instrumental in the repairs of 1232 to Porchester Castle in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, a site first used by third-century Romans
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
. Sir Hugh had this ever-evolving castle updated to include a new forebuilding to the keep and portcullises for the gatehouses, and completed repairs to the wall and hall.
Among his descendants were the infamous Despensers that became favourites of Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
.
External sources
- Origins of the Despensers (redux), soc.genealogy.medieval