Despencer (le Despencer) or Despenser is an occupational surname referring to the medieval court office of

steward Steward may refer to: Positions or roles * Steward (office), a representative of a monarch * Steward (Methodism), a leader in a congregation and/or district * Steward, a person responsible for supplies of food to a college, club, or other ins ...

, most commonly associated with Norman-English barons of the 13th- and 14th-centuries and their descendants. Notable people with this surname include: *

Edward le Despenser Edward le Despenser ( 1310 – 30 September 1342) was a son of Hugh le Despenser the Younger by his wife Eleanor de Clare. His father, a favourite of Edward II of England, was executed in 1326. Through his mother, he was a great-grandson of Edwar ...

(1310–1342), soldier, father of Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer. *

Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron Despenser (24 March 1336, Essendine – 11 November 1375) was the son of another Edward le Despenser and Anne Ferrers, sister of Henry, Lord Ferrers of Groby. He succeeded as Lord of Glamorgan in 1349. Le Despence ...

(1335–1375), the son of Edward le Despencer *

Elizabeth le Despencer, Baroness le Despencer Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

(1342–1402), English noblewoman born to Bartholomew de Burghersh *

Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer Francis Dashwood, 11th Baron le Despencer, PC, FRS (December 1708 – 11 December 1781) was an English politician and rake, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1762–1763) and founder of the Hellfire Club. Life and career Early life Dashwood wa ...

(1708–1781), English rake, politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, founder of the Hellfire Club *

Henry le Despencer Henry le Despenser ( 1341 – 23 August 1406) was an English nobleman and Bishop of Norwich whose reputation as the 'Fighting Bishop' was gained for his part in suppressing the Peasants' Revolt in East Anglia and in defeating the peasants at th ...

( 1341–1406), Bishop of Norwich, the younger brother of Edward le Despencer * Sir

Hugh le Despencer (justiciar) Hugh le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despenser (1223 – 4 August 1265) 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. Despe ...

, Baron le Despencer (1223–1265) son of sheriff Hugh and 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 and the castles of Shrewsbury, Bruges, and Balsover. * Hugh le Despenser (sheriff) (died 1238) was a wealthy land owner in the East Midlands of England, as well as High Sheriff of Berkshire. *

Hugh le Despenser the Elder Hugh le Despenser (1 March 126127 October 1326), sometimes referred to as "the Elder Despenser", was for a time the chief adviser to King Edward II of England. He was created a baron in 1295 and Earl of Winchester in 1322. One day after being c ...

, 1st Earl of Winchester (1262–1326), for a time the chief adviser to King Edward II of England. *

Hugh le Despenser the Younger Hugh le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despenser (c. 1287/1289 – 24 November 1326), also referred to as "the Younger Despenser", was the son and heir of Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester (the Elder Despenser), by his wife Isabella de Beauchamp, ...

(1286–1326) became Royal Chamberlain in 1318 and the favourite of Edward II of England but developed a reputation for greed and, after falling out with the Barons, was accused of treason. He was forced into exile in 1321 with his father, who later fled to Bordeaux. Hugh was captured and sentenced to public execution by hanging (for thievery), and drawing and quartering (for treason). *

Hugh le Despencer, Baron le Despencer (1338) Hugh le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despenser (c. 1308/9 – 8 February 1349), Lord of Glamorgan, was an English peer. Imprisoned as a consequence of his support for deposed king Edward II, he would return to royal favour under Edward III, being mad ...

(1308–1349), the eldest son and heir of Hugh Despenser the Younger, fought at the battles of Sluys and Crécy. He was created a baron by writ of summons to Parliament in 1338 (the titles of his father and grandfather having been forfeited by virtue of their treason convictions). *

Isabel le Despenser, Countess of Arundel Isabel le Despenser (1312 – living 1356, and died by 1374/5) was an English noblewoman. She was the eldest daughter of Hugh le Despenser, 2nd Baron le Despenser and Eleanor de Clare, ''suo jure'' 6th Lady of Glamorgan. Her mother was the el ...

(1312–1356), married, as his 1st wife, Richard Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel. The marriage was annulled and their child, Edmund, was disinherited. *

James Despencer-Robertson James Archibald Saint George Fitzwarenne-Despencer-Robertson, (7 November 1886 – 5 May 1942) was an English Conservative politician. The only surviving son of Sir Helenus Robert Robertson and his wife Kate Ann Banks, he was born at Upton Grang ...

OBE (1886–1942) a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom *

Richard le Despenser, 4th Baron Burghersh Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...

(1396–1414) was the son and heir of Thomas le Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester * Robert Despenser (d. after 1098), a court official and landholder under William II of England *

Thomas le Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester Thomas le Despenser, 2nd Baron Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester KG (22 September 137313 January 1400) was the son of Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer, whom he succeeded in 1375. Royal intrigues A supporter of Richard II against Tho ...

(22 September 1373 – 13 January 1400, Bristol) was the son of Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer, whom he succeeded in 1375. He was executed after the abortive Epiphany Rising.

See also