Hugh Le Despenser
Quick Summary
Hugh Le Despenser the Younger was an English noble and an unpopular favorite of King Edward II. He and his father, Hugh Le Despenser the Elder, gained significant wealth and power, which led to intense hatred from the barons. This animosity resulted in their disinheritance and exile in 1321.
Following the collapse of baronial opposition, the Despensers returned to power. Hugh the Younger enhanced the role of the king's chamberlain, diverting revenue and developing it as a department with its own seal. However, his administration continued to cause discontent. In 1326, Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer rebelled. The elder Despenser was executed, and the younger Despenser was captured with the king and hanged in November 1326. Thomas of Lancaster was a key figure in the baronial opposition to Edward II and was involved in the conflict that led to the execution of Edward II's favorite, Piers Gaveston.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Edward IIā¦favouritesāHugh le Despenser and his son and namesake. When the king supported the younger Despenserās 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, Yorkshire, in March 1322. Soonā¦
Read Moreā¦favouritesāHugh le Despenser and his son and namesake. When the king supported the younger Despenserās 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, Yorkshire, in March 1322. Soonā¦
Read More
United KingdomEdward II (1307ā27)ā¦of them, a 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 Lancasterā¦
Read Moreā¦of them, a 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 Lancasterā¦
Read More