Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer

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Edward le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer (1336-1375) was the son of another Edward le Despencer and Anne, the sister of Henry, Lord Ferrers (also spelled Ferrer) of Groby.

Le Despencer went with Edward the Black Prince to France, and was present at the Battle of Poitiers. In recognition of his conduct in the French wars, he was summoned to Parliament as a baron in 1357. At the same time, he also became a Knight of the Garter.

Edward le Despencer married Elizabeth de Burghersh, daughter of Bartholomew de Burghersh, Baron Burghersh. They had the following children:

Thomas, who succeeded his father to the barony.
Hugh
Cicely
Elizabeth, who married firstly John Arundel, and then Hugh, Lord Zouch
Anne, who married firstly to Hugh Hastings, and then Thomas, Lord Morley
Margaret, who married Robert, Lord Ferrers of Chartley.

[edit] Reference

Burke, Sir Bernard. "Despencer-Barons Despencer, Earl of Gloucester." A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages, of the British Empire. London: Wm Clowes and Sons, Ltd., 1962. p. 167.