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All About History Books

Published March 2025. The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.

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Biography of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Paternal Family Tree: Despencer

Maternal Family Tree: Hawise Reginar 1200-1256

1265 Battle of Evesham

1298 Battle of Falkirk

1308 King Edward II and Isabella of France arrive in England

1321 Exile of the Despencers

1326 Execution of the Despencers and their Faction

In 1260 [his father] Hugh Despencer (age 36) and [his mother] Aline Basset (age 39) were married.

On 1st March 1261 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester was born to Hugh Despencer (age 37) and Aline Basset (age 40).

Battle of Evesham

On 4th August 1265 the army loyal to King Henry III of England (age 57), led by his son the future King Edward I of England (age 26), supported by Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford (age 21), Warin Basingburne and John Giffard 1st Baron Giffard Brimpsfield (age 33) defeated the rebel army of Simon de Montfort 6th Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Chester (age 57) at the Battle of Evesham.

Roger Leybourne (age 50) fought and reputedly saved the King's life.

Adam Mohaut rescued the King.

Alan de Plugenet of Kilpec fought for the King.

Simon de Montfort 6th Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Chester and his son Henry Montfort (age 26) were killed. Earl of Leicester, Earl Chester forfeit.

[his father] Hugh Despencer (age 41) was killed by Roger Mortimer 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore (age 34).

Simon Beauchamp (age 31), Ralph Basset (age 50), William Devereux (age 46), Hugh Troyes, Richard Trussel, Peter Montfort (age 60), William Mandeville, William Crepping, William Birmingham, Guy Balliol and Thomas Astley (age 50) were killed. Henry Hastings (age 30), Humphrey Bohun (age 44), Nicholas Segrave 1st Baron Segrave (age 27), John Vesci, John Fitzjohn and Guy Montfort Count Nola (age 21) were captured.

John Vesci was wounded and taken prisoner.

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On 29th October 1271 [his step-father] Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 26) and [his mother] Aline Basset (age 50) were married. She the widow of [his father] Hugh Despencer. The difference in their ages was 24 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

Around 1280 Patrick Chaworth (age 30) and [his future wife] Isabella Beauchamp (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [his future father-in-law] William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 43) and [his future mother-in-law] Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick (age 42).

On 11th April 1281 [his mother] Aline Basset (age 60) died.

Before 1286 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 24) and Isabella Beauchamp (age 22) were married. She the daughter of William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 48) and Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick (age 47).

In 1286 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 24) and [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp (age 23).

On 30th December 1292 Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 11) and [his step-daughter] Maud Chaworth (age 10) were married. He the son of Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster (age 47) and Blanche Capet Queen Navarre (age 44).

In 1298 [his father-in-law] William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick (age 61) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Guy (age 26) succeeded 10th Earl Warwick.

Battle of Falkirk

On 22nd July 1298 King Edward I of England (age 59) defeated the Scottish army led by William Wallace during the Battle of Falkirk at Falkirk [Map] using archers to firstly attack the Scottish shiltrons with the heavy cavalry with infantry completing the defeat.

John de Graham (age 31) and John Stewart of Bonkyll (age 52) were killed.

The English were described in the Falkirk Roll that lists 111 men with their armorials including:

[his brother-in-law] Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick (age 26).

Walter Beauchamp (age 55).

[his step-father] Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk (age 53).

Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex (age 49).

Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 24).

Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 37).

William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby (age 26).

Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley (age 52).

Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley (age 27).

Henry Grey 1st Baron Grey of Codnor (age 43).

Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton (age 58).

John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton (age 30).

John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster (age 29).

Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 48).

Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 11).

William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley (age 43).

John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave (age 42).

Nicholas Segrave (age 42).

Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford (age 41).

Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby (age 30).

Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 20).

Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster (age 17).

John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey (age 67).

Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 25).

Hugh Courtenay 9th Earl Devon (age 21).

Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel (age 31).

Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 19).

John Capet II Duke Brittany (age 59).

Philip Darcy (age 40).

Robert Fitzroger.

Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter (age 51), or possiby a Roger Fitzwalter?.

Simon Fraser.

Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 23).

John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell (age 30), and.

Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 47).

William Scrope (age 53) was knighted.

John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 29) fought.

John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel (age 44) fought.

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After 3rd May 1302 [his son-in-law] Edward Burnell (age 16) and [his daughter] Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell were married. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 41) and [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp (age 39). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 30th May 1306 [his wife] Isabella Beauchamp (age 43) died.

After 14th July 1306 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 20) and [his daughter-in-law] Eleanor Clare Baroness Zouche Mortimer (age 13) were married. She the daughter of Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford and Joan of Acre Countess Gloucester and Hertford (age 34). He the son of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 45) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

King Edward II and Isabella of France arrive in England

Fine Rolls. On 7th February 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23) and Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 13) returned from their wedding in Boulogne sur Mer [Map] to Dover, Kent [Map].

7th February 1308. Be it remembered that on Wednesday after the Purification, Edward II, the king, returning from beyond seas, to wit, from Boulogne sur Mer [Map], where he took to wife Isabel, daughter of the king of France (age 39), touched at Dover, Kent [Map] in his barge about the ninth hour [1500], Hugh le Despenser (age 46) and the lord of Castellione of Gascony being in his company, and the Queen a little afterward touched there with certain ladies accompanying her, and because the great seal which had been taken with him beyond seas then remained in the keeping of the keeper of the wardrobe who could not arrive on that day, no writ was sealed from the hour of the king's coming until Friday following on which day the bishop of Chichester, chancellor, about the ninth hour [1500] delivered to the king in his chamber in Dover castle [Map] the seal used in England during the king's absence, and the king, receiving the same, delivered it to William de Melton (age 33), controller of the wardrobe, and forthwith delivered with his own hand to the chancellor the great seal under the seal of J. de Benstede, keeper of the wardrobe, and Master John Painter Fraunceis, in the presence of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (age 30), Peter, Earl of Cornwall (age 24), and Hugh le Despenser, William Martyn and William Inge, knights, and Adam de Osgodby, clerk; and the chancellor on that day after lunch in his room (hospicio) in God's House, Dover, sealed writs with the great seal.

Before 1310 [his son-in-law] John Hastings 13th Baron Abergavenny 1st Baron Hastings (age 47) and [his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny were married. She by marriage Baroness Hastings, Baroness Abergavenny Feudal Creation. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 48) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Close Rolls Edward II 1307-1313. On 16th January 1310 King Edward II of England (age 25). Stamford [Map]. To the Sheriff of York. Order to proclaim that the king does not intend to change the money current in the Kingdom in the late King's time, as had been rumoured, and to forbid anyone from thinking little of it, whereby victuals and other necessaries may be sold more dearly.

The like to all the Sheriffs of England [Ibid].

Enrolment of deed of Peter de Gavaston (age 26), knight, surrendering to the king the castle, manor, and honour of Knaresborough [Map], with the free chase of Knaresborough, and the manors of Routheclyve and Auldburgh, lately granted to him by the King for his lifetime. Witnesses: Gilbert de Clare 8th Earl Gloucester 7th Earl Hertford (age 18), Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury (age 59), John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey (age 23), John de Brittania, Earl of Richmond, Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 48), Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy (age 36), Robert son of Walter, Robert son of Payn, William de Burford, William Inge. Dated at Stamford [Map] July 26, 3 Edward II.

Enrolment of like surrender by the said Peter of the county of Gaure and the castles of Talanon, Tantalon, and Mauleon, the provostships (preposituras) and Camparian(um) called 'la Cointal' and of the city of Bayonne, the manor of Erebafaveyra, Born, Comtad, Salmun, Dagenes, and the island of Oleron, and the lands of Marempne and of Lancras in Saintogne, and all rights, appurtenances, etc., etc., thereto pertaining to the king, which the king lately granted him for life. Witnesses as above. Dated August 4, 3 Edward II.

Memorandum, that this deed was delivered to the king in his chamber in the House of the Friars Preachers, Stamford [Map] at Stamford, by the hands of the said Peter and the king delivered the said deed to J his chancellor, to be enrolled in the chancery, and it was afterwards delivered to Ingelard de Warle, keeper of the King's Wardrobe to be kept in the king's wardrobe, but the king's charters that the said Peter hereof were not then restored.[CONTINUES].

Around 1313 [his son-in-law] Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford (age 43) and [his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny were married. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 51) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp.

Before 20th May 1316 [his son-in-law] Ralph Camoys 1st Baron Camoys and [his daughter] Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Camoys were married. She by marriage Baroness Camoys. She the daughter of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 55) and [his former wife] Isabella Beauchamp.

Exile of the Despencers

In 1321 [his son] Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 35) and his son Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 59) were exiled.

On 10th May 1322 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 61) was created 1st Earl Winchester.

Execution of the Despencers and their Faction

On 27th October 1326 Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester (age 65) was hanged at Bristol, Gloucestershire [Map]. Earl Winchester, Baron Despencer forfeit as a result of attainder.

Froissart Book 1: 1307-1340. [27th October 1326] 14. When the queen (age 31), the barons, and the others were comfortably lodged, they laid siege to the castle as closely as they could. Then the queen had Sir Hugh Despenser the elder (age 65) and the Earl of Arundel (age 41) brought before her eldest son and all the barons who were there, and said that she and her son would give them justice and a fair trial, according to their deeds and actions. Then Sir Hugh replied: 'Ah, lady, may God grant us a just judge and a fair judgment; and if we cannot have it in this world, may He give it to us in the next!' Then rose Sir Thomas Wake (age 29), a good knight, wise and courteous, who was marshal of the army. He recited all their deeds from a written record, and then turned to an old knight who was there, so that he might deliver a judgment, based on the faith owed by men in such matters, and on the nature of such crimes. The knight consulted with the other barons and knights and then delivered his full judgment: that they had well deserved death, based on the many horrible deeds recounted there against them, which were held to be true and clear. And they had, by the diversity of their crimes, deserved to be executed in three ways: first to be drawn, then beheaded, and finally hanged from the gallows. And just as they were judged, so were they immediately executed before the castle of Bristol, in sight of the king and of the said Sir [his son] Hugh the younger (age 40), and of all those inside, who were filled with deep grief and outrage. And it may be understood that they were in great anguish of heart. This execution was carried out in the year of grace 1326, on the feast of Saint Denis, in October.

14. Quant la royne et tout li baron et li aultre furent herbergiet à leur aise, il assegièrent le chastiel, au plus priès qu'il peurent. Et puis fist la royne ramener monsigneur Huon le Despensier le vielle et le conte d'Arondiel devant son ainsnet fil, et devant tous les barons qui là estoient, et leur dist que elle et ses filz leur feroient droit et loy et bon jugement, selonch leurs fais et leurs œuvres. Adonc respondi messires Hues et dist: «Ha! dame, Diex nous voelle donner bon juge et bon jugement; et se nous ne le poons avoir en ce siècle, si le nous doinst en l'autre!» Adonc se leva messires Thumas Wage, bons chevaliers, sages et courtois, qui estoit mareschaus de l'ost, et leur racompta tous leurs fais par escript, et tourna en droit sus un viel chevalier qui là estoit, afin qu'il raportast sus se feauté que à faire avoit de telz personnes, par jugement, et de telz fais. Li chevaliers se consilla as autres barons et chevaliers, et raporta par plainne sieute que il avoient bien mort desservie, par pluiseurs horribles fais qu'il avoient là endroit oys racompter, et les tenoient pour vrais et tous clers. Et avoient desservi, par le diversité de leurs fais, à estre justiciés en trois manières, c'est à savoir, premiers traynés, et puis decolés, apriès pendus à un gibet. Tout en tel manière qu'il furent jugiet, furent il tantost justiciet par devant le chastiel de Bristo, veant le roy, et veant le dit monsigneur Huon le fil, et tous ceulz de laiens qui grant despit en eurent. Et puet çascuns savoir que il estoient à grant meschief de cuer. Ceste justice fu faite l'an de grasce mil trois cens vingt et six, le jour saint Denis, en octembre.

Lanercost Chronicle. [27th October 1326]. Shortly afterwards Sir Hugh Despenser (age 65) the elder, Earl of Winchester, was captured, and drawn at Bristol in his coat of arms (so that those arms should never again be borne in England), and afterwards hanged and then beheaded.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Camoys was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp.

[his daughter] Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp.

[his daughter] Isabel Despencer Baroness Hastings and Bergavenny was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp.

[his son] Philip Despencer was born to Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester and Isabella Beauchamp.

Royal Ancestors of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 12 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Anne Neville Queen Consort England

Queen Jane Seymour

Catherine Parr Queen Consort England

Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland

George Wharton

President George Washington

Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 1261-1326

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Despencer

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Despencer

GrandFather: Hugh Despencer

Great x 1 Grandmother: Recuara Harcourt

Father: Hugh Despencer

Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Basset

Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Basset

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Basset

Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily Englefield

Great x 1 Grandfather: Alan Basset

Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Dunstanville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alan Dunstanville

Great x 2 Grandmother: Adeliza Dunstanville

GrandFather: Philip Basset 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry I "Beauclerc" England Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Normandy 1st Earl Gloucester Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Daughter Gay

Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Fitzrobert Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Fitzhamon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mabel Fitzhamon Countess Gloucester

Great x 1 Grandmother: Aline Fitzrobert Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Mother: Aline Basset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Godfrey Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lutgardis Sulzbach Duchess Lower Lorraine

Great x 2 Grandfather: Godfrey Reginar

Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Loon I Count Loon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Imagina Loon Duchess Lower Lorraine

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Metz Countess Loon

Great x 1 Grandfather: Matthew Reginar

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Fitzwilliam Hastings

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Hastings

GrandMother: Hawise Reginar