Husband of Constance of York, daughter of Edmund de Langley, son of King Edward III and Isabel the daughter of Pedro, King of Castile and Leon. They had three sons and two daughters, of which only two lived to adulthood: Richard le
Despenser, 4th Baron Burghersh, and Elizabeth who would marry Richard de Beauchamp and his cousin by the same name, Richard de Beauchamp.
Thomas was summoned to Parliament in 1396 as Thome le Despenser, with the addition of Comiti Gloucestrie added Nov 1397. He was created Earl of Gloucester 29 Sep 1397.
Thomas's ancestors were famous for their beheadings, including his great grandfather, Hugh the younger, and his great great grandfather, Hugh. He petitioned, and obtained, from the Parliament, the reversal of the disinheritance of both Hughs. He supported Richard II, lost his earldom and
land grants when Henry IV took the throne, and Thomas joined in the Barons rebellion in the famous failed Epiphany Rising to reinstate Richard II. He was seized and beheaded at Bristol on January 13, 1400.
Because of her close relations with the King, Constance was spared poverty and treated with generosity, granted the majority of her husband's properties for life.
Husband of Constance of York, daughter of Edmund de Langley, son of King Edward III and Isabel the daughter of Pedro, King of Castile and Leon. They had three sons and two daughters, of which only two lived to adulthood: Richard le
Despenser, 4th Baron Burghersh, and Elizabeth who would marry Richard de Beauchamp and his cousin by the same name, Richard de Beauchamp.
Thomas was summoned to Parliament in 1396 as Thome le Despenser, with the addition of Comiti Gloucestrie added Nov 1397. He was created Earl of Gloucester 29 Sep 1397.
Thomas's ancestors were famous for their beheadings, including his great grandfather, Hugh the younger, and his great great grandfather, Hugh. He petitioned, and obtained, from the Parliament, the reversal of the disinheritance of both Hughs. He supported Richard II, lost his earldom and
land grants when Henry IV took the throne, and Thomas joined in the Barons rebellion in the famous failed Epiphany Rising to reinstate Richard II. He was seized and beheaded at Bristol on January 13, 1400.
Because of her close relations with the King, Constance was spared poverty and treated with generosity, granted the majority of her husband's properties for life.