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Updated: June 1, 2025
At the head of those who swore to maintain this association were the Earls of Leicester, Gloucester, and Derby, with le Despenser, the chief justiciary; men who had all previously sworn to submit to the award of the French monarch. M. West. p. 385. Ypod.
How long Alvena might have proceeded to shock Maude's susceptibilities and outrage her preconceived opinions, it is impossible to say; for at this moment Thurstan opened the door and announced in a rather consequential manner "The Lord Le Despenser, to visit the Lady Custance, and Dame Margaret his sister."
Deserted by all and repulsed by the citizens of London whose aid he implored, the king fled hastily to the west and embarked with the Despensers for Lundy Island, which Despenser had fortified as a possible refuge; but contrary winds flung him again on the Welsh coast, where he fell into the hands of Earl Henry of Lancaster, the brother of the Earl whom they had slain.
They elected a constable and a marshal, and joining forces with Hugh Despenser, the baronial justiciar, who still held the Tower, marched out to Isleworth, where they burnt the manor of the King of the Romans. "And this," wrote the London Chronicler, "was the beginning of trouble and the origin of the deadly war by which so many thousand men perished." The Londoners did not act alone.
If Henry of Bolingbroke may be credited, the majority of the loyal six, and Thomas Le Despenser among them, not only sat in his first Parliament, but pleaded compulsion as the cause of their petition against Gloucester, and consented to the deposition of King Richard, while some earnestly requested the usurper to put the Sovereign to death.
But before she uttered another word, a suspicion which almost terrified her began to steal over her. She threw herself on her knees at the feet of the Grey Lady, and grasped her arm tightly. "All the holy saints have mercy upon us! are you Isabel La Despenser?" It seemed an hour to Philippa ere the answer came. And it came in a tone so low and quivering that she only just heard it. "I was."
At last she snatched up the pen, and dashed her name on the paper. It was signed in regal form, without a surname. "There!" she cried passionately: "behold all ye get of me! If I may not sign `Custance Kent, content you with `Custance. Never `Custance Le Despenser! My Lord was true to his heart's core; and never sign I his name to a dishonour and a lie!
Her behaviour to her royal daughter-in-law was marked by the utmost outward deference, yet she never failed to leave the impression on Constance's mind that she regarded her as an outsider and a reprobate. Moreover, the Lady Le Despenser had some singular notions on the subject of love.
The Queen was staying at Hereford, and thither many of the King’s adherents were taken with the Chancellor and Hugh Despenser. The last-named was hanged in the town, decapitated, and quartered. Bishop Adam showed much ability in managing the affairs of the cathedral.
Lady Badlesmere expected to be succored by Lancaster; but he would not come forward, and in a few days her castle was taken, her steward, Walter Culpepper, hanged, and herself committed to the Tower. Such a bold stroke on the King's part emboldened the elder Le Despenser return to England and join his master.
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