Henry le Despenser

Bishop of Norwich

on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_le_Despenser] Henry le Despenser (c. 1341–1406) was a 14th-century 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 the Battle of North Walsham in the summer of 1381.

As a young man he studied at Oxford University and held numerous positions in the English Church. He fought in Italy before being consecrated as a bishop in 1370. Parliament agreed to allow Despenser to lead a crusade to Flanders in 1383, which was directed against Louis II of Flanders, a supporter of the antipope Clement VII. The crusade was in defence of English economic and political interests. Although well funded, the expedition was poorly equipped and lacked proper military leadership. After initial successes, a disastrous attempt to besiege the city of Ypres forced Despenser to return to England. Upon his return he was impeached in parliament. His temporalities were confiscated by Richard II of England, but were returned in 1385, the year he accompanied the king northward to repel a potential French invasion of Scotland.

Despenser was an energetic and able administrator who staunchly defended his diocese against Lollardy. In 1399, he was among those who stood by Richard, following the landing of Henry Bolingbroke in Yorkshire towards the end of June. He was arrested for refusing to come to terms with Bolingbroke. The following year, he was implicated in the Epiphany Rising, but was pardoned.

Origins

In Medlands (retrieved 18 April 2022):

ANNE de Ferrers (-8 Aug 1367). (daughter of WILLIAM de Ferrers of Groby.). The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey records that “Edwardus…primus, frater Hugonis tertii” married “Anna filia domini de Ferrers”[436]. m (Groby 20 Apr 1335) EDWARD Le Despencer, son of HUGH Le Despencer Lord Le Despencer & his wife Eleanor de Clare of the Earls of Gloucester (-killed in battle Morlaix 30 Sep 1342). Edward & his wife had four children:

3. HENRY . The Chronica de Fundatoribus et Fundatione of Tewkesbury Abbey names “Edwardum secundum, Thomam, Henricum, et Gilbertum secundum” as children of “Edwardus…primus, frater Hugonis tertii” and his wife “Anna filia domini de Ferrers”[201].