Hugh Despenser the Younger

Hugh Despenser, 1st Baron Despenser was an English nobleman and royal favourite. He was the son and heir of Hugh Despenser, Earl of Winchester and his wife Isabel Beauchamp, daughter of William Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick. Despenser rose to national prominence as chamberlain of the royal household and a close favourite of Edward II of England. His influence at court earned him many enemies among the English nobility. After the overthrow of Edward II, Despenser was charged with high treason and ultimately hanged, drawn and quartered.