Hugh Despenser the Younger: The Most Hated Briton of the Fourteenth Century

[@johnd.obrien6838]

His son, Pez, became far more famous.

[@juneroberts5305]

🤣

[@midnightmosesuk]

Not to mention his cousin soap.

[@juneroberts5305]

@@midnightmosesuk 🤣

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

Good one!

[@cyborganisation]

Comedy gold!

[@tylerhill40]

Imagine being so hated they want to utterly annihilate your body after killing you. Geez.

[@igorkoskin5214]

It was a fairly standard way of executing traitors in England back in the day though

[@CJODell12]

@@greyfriars6540 WEF? You mean World Economic Forum?

[@mrrictus]

Lookup what happened to Cromwell's (the high protector Cromwell. Not Henry VIII main dog)corpse.

[@StuckInOhio10]

@@CJODell12 yeah, the WEF is a conniving cabal of weasels

[@shirleytyler-szkolny6981]

Yeah, that's just because they hadn't invented the chainsaw yet.

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

Isn't it astounding to think the DeSpencer line can be traced back to 1066. Also that a direct descendant will one day be king. The elite really know how to stay at the top of the heap.

[@BTScriviner]

As Mel Brooks said in "History of the World Part I": "It's good to be the king."

[@nancytestani1470]

The depenser’s were not the only one family to be traced back to 1066..

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

@@nancytestani1470 true just look at the names of the elite in the UK.

[@christianfreedom-seeker2025]

You mean Prince William? Well there is a law that prevents the old Norman Catholic families from inheriting the throne unless the Spencers were not Catholic but Church of England.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

…from the most despised to the most beloved in 700 years, that’s a good turnaround

[@NinjaGrrrl7734]

I love your voice. It soothes and intrigues me both. What a lovely instrument your voice is!

[@IndustrialBonecraft]

"That man despenses Hughs!" "What a bastard!"

[@tmr4342]

That was very entertaining, thankyou, She-Wolf of France.

[@LTPottenger]

Also known as the nastiest divorce in history.

[@michaelfisher7170]

Damn. The concept "overkill" apparently didn't exist or at least didn't factor into politically charged trials and executions, back in the day.

[@paristhompson7522]

For real, obviously his execution was a terrible way to die but I was almost laughing at how extremely over-the-top it was

[@jessecaple170]

I can think of a few ppl today that it wouldn't be over the top for.

[@Vates104]

Just discovered this channel. I subscribed and I rang the bell. Christopher Marlowe’s play Edward II made this story into a Great Play, still read and performed today.

[@lewisreed8415]

ding dong !

[@klackon1]

Many years ago, I used to walk my dogs past the monument raised to show the site of Gaveston's execution. There is a roundabout on the A46 close by, which is known as Gaveston island/roundabout. I think the monument has words to the effect ".... murdered by barons lawless as himself."

[@sooobyrooo5763]

Really engaging and quite a fantastic video delivery thank you for a very entertaining look at this interesting cultural slice.

[@jobrown6952]

I have never subscribed to anything so fast in my life, A+ content!!!

[@christianfreedom-seeker2025]

You know you failed as a King when you get grouped in with Richard III, Oswald Mosley and Jack the Ripper! And, of course Hugh Dispenser the younger.

[@glenchapman3899]

Yeah really the only good thing he ever did was help produce Edward III

[@THINKincessantly]

Uh, Whats wrong with Oswald Mosley?

[@ralphmillais5237]

Mosley was an honourable man.

[@tricivenola8164]

I've encountered and enjoyed your videos from time to time, but I am now totally addicted and am watching every single one. Thanks for taking us to the Middle Ages!

[@JamesFromTexas]

According to the 100% accurate documentary Braveheart, at least one of Isabella's kids was fathered by William Wallace.

[@TheAshCooper]

Such an accurate film even to this day.

[@rokkovalkrye3127]

Crazy to think that Wallace accomplished all he did while afflicted with such bad alcoholism. Shame he was a raging antisemite. :/

[@crystllclr3743]

Literally the opening title messes it up lol.

[@vit968]

Still a fun movie more fun than outlaw king

[@JamesFromTexas]

@@vit968 definitely a great movie. Won Movie of the Year when it came out. ETA: Outlaw King was such a dry movie. Also, couldn't they have at least gotten a Scottish actor to play The Bruce?

[@charleslennon1]

Wow, I knew some aspects of King Edward II's life but...wow. It's also interesting how Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce also helped contribute to this particular segment of history. After researching the information detailed in the video I also discovered where JRR Maritn got his inspiration for Robert's Rebellion.

[@glenchapman3899]

Yeah my wife used to bang on at me about watching the TV show. I am sure she did not believe I already knew the plot lol

[@airsir9559]

Apparently GRR Martin based certain characters on some of the players involved in the Wars of Scottish Independence. Mance Rayder was based on William Wallace and Tywin Lannister was based on Edward the Longshanks. What's funny is that the the guy who played Stannis Baratheon in the show later went on to play Edward the Longshanks in the movie Outlaw King.

[@NarffetWerlz]

Hugh, son of Towel and Coffee, would later be immortalized in the video game _Team Fortress 2_ where each character can request his presence.

[@Marco-kd7jk]

Underrated comment.

[@retroactivejealousy-worldl1805]

Were Diana Princess of Wales and her line of Spencers descended from the Despencer family?

[@sirlawrence9161]

Yes

[@alexsm3882]

Here I was thinking I was gonna learn about a huge dispenser in the middle ages

[@BOLLOCKS1968]

😂😂😂dito!

[@winglessfairy564]

😹😹😹

[@Yustagirl3]

😂

[@stephenbowers7901]

Its Friday again!..... Medieval Madness always deliver :) Much love, splendid

[@jonathanstoutenburg8634]

You have taught me so much about a period that didn't seem to have history classes when I went to Ohio State University.

[@iriswinter]

You mean THE Ohio State University 🤪

[@racheljoseph1221]

Well what do you EXPECT from OSU?? Greetings from Michigan...

[@landrum3893]

You had me at drag queen. Excellent history content that isnt dry or humorless. Thanks

[@toddbonin6926]

This was really well done!

[@Nana-vi4rd]

Ah, I'm a high school drop out and even I know Isabella met Mortimer when she went to France on the pretense of Speaking to her brother on her husband's behalf. And this was after DE Spencer had gotten the King to declare all French people were traitors and had to be locked away. De Spencer taking great pleasure in taking the royal children from their mother and dismissing the Queen's ladies due to their being French. Once in France Isabella declared until her husband declared De Spencer a traitor she would consider herself a widow and would not return to England. Oh, I forgot she had her brother as the King of England to come to France to pay homage to himself. Isabella knew he wouldn't do that so suggested that the King send his heir in his place. Which Edward did, and once the boy was with his mother, she declared herself a widow. While in France she met Mortimer and they became lovers. Then together and with a small army returned to England gathering more and more willing to fight against the King.

[@Serena_Eve]

Seen the Dan Jones docs, eh?

[@morrisminor56]

Well, that's about as Medieval as it gets.

[@warwick936]

Edward III captured Isabella and Mortimer at Nottingham Castle where he used the secret tunnels and caves to gain access to the private chambers. You can visit the caves at Nottingham Castle today!

[@grumpy-dad3701]

Hasn't been a castle for a couple of years. It was destroyed by some king yester year

[@kimberleysmith818]

@@grumpy-dad3701 Google says otherwise.

[@jlworrad]

The tunnels are a fantastic place to visit. They got used during the civil war too.

[@gizmo3846]

It wasn't just a meal why they watched, it's said that isabelle ate a plum as dispensers testicles were removed.

[@patrickparsons2378]

Despenser was English not a 'Briton'. The latter term was not used at all until the early C17th in the reign of James VI & I (although it did reappear in the propaganda of Henry VII Tudor). The Welsh used the term for themselves until it was gradually displaced by the adoption of the English term 'Welsh' during the C12th.

[@kristiskinner8542]

Doesnt make any difference- a Brit made the list today going by what it is today

[@stevovimy]

Britons predate the English lol.

[@sionjones1026]

@@kristiskinner8542 yes it does make a difference. I expected to see a video about a Briton. Not an Anglo Norman.

[@sanderson9338]

Are you calling Julius Cesaer a liar he called people Britons

[@sionjones1026]

When Julius Caesar arrived in Britannia he called the natives Britons. Hugh Despenser is an Anglo Norman. His people, the Normans, didn’t arrive in Britain until 1066 and this is hundreds of years after Caesar first called the Celtic speaking natives by the name Of Britons.

[@CoryWHoffman]

I love you’re little bits of comedy thrown into your videos

[@inconnu4961]

You love his little bits, do you? Good to know! Thank you for sharing!

[@nygothuey6607]

He has a great dry British humour. Much like History Matters.

[@curiodyssey3867]

Absolutely LOVE your content.

[@SaiyanGamer95]

Benedict Arnold (who was hated in America (and still hated to this day) and Britain): Finally, a worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!!

[@johnbeardshall2898]

Washington was of a noble family his family is related too churchill Mountbatten and Spencers 3 of the most powerful families in England Washington was a general in the royal army which only sons of noble blood could be officers he helped British troops defeat the French then joined the American Revolution with backing from the French so who really was a traitor ,makes you think doesn't it

[@kassimkhan5524]

This narrator has such a charismatic captivating voice

[@laurieb3703]

Human cruelty never ceases to amaze me

[@Tim_Apple]

The most beloved man of the 14th century was Hugh Jainus

[@岡山大木]

Sir Michael Oxlong has to be in with a shout too

[@Tim_Apple]

@@岡山大木 Don't forget Lee Kinaynis

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

I thought it was Sir Phil Mckrack

[@Tim_Apple]

@@Finthefish-hr8ky If's possible but now that i think about it it might have been Hugh Jasole.

[@Finthefish-hr8ky]

@@keelo-byte didn't he study under Master Bates?

[@SYLFan2008]

Sounds like a Bart Simpson prank call to Moe.

[@0verkill161]

He must have be an ancestor of Hugh Jazz.

[@joannefalkinder393]

Cannot imagine that lady Diana Spencer was a descendant of this family.

[@postiepaul]

“Joining the 27 club”. Very funny😀😀😀

[@24934637]

Bad state of affairs when you are looking forward to the beheading!

[@BTScriviner]

It was more a coup against Edward II, than a voluntary abdication.

[@infinitejest441]

I was unaware a person could die more than once. 😵

[@glenchapman3899]

Well it was a complicated process. They hanged you till you were almost dead. Then they would cut your private parts of and stuff them in your mouth. Then start the disembowling process. Over the years they had gotten pretty good at keeping you alive while they did all these steps

[@gonzoraoul]

Being quartered was thought of as worse than execution because in the Christian resurrection myth, it's believed that for believers your body will be raised again to heaven. And so having your body spread over the country prevents that.

[@rarebird_82]

Love the Pythonesque light relief 😉😅

[@bhpictures]

12:00 Does anyone know what this location is? Thanks in advance.

[@Theogenerang]

How many law students have seen that sentence and aspired to become a judge?

[@abraxasjinx5207]

I've been listening to your videos to help me fall asleep while learning something. Listening to them while awake I'm appreciative of the connections to modern concepts and situations. We need to learn from the past and we are often failing.

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

The more I learn about tue Middle Ages the more I think video games cause violence.

[@ITSjustWOOL]

Medieval GTA was wild

[@maxxdahl6062]

Played video games all of my life, not once did I ever think about causing violence.

[@maliciousfacegaming8581]

@@maxxdahl6062 try League of Legends, that should do it

[@maxxdahl6062]

@@maliciousfacegaming8581 Nah I play real games. lol

[@millermonsterair]

@@maxxdahl6062 animal crossing caused me to do a blood eagle on someone...

[@gibbnasta]

So Brokeback Kingdom?

[@HdHd-cg4nz]

Poo wars

[@g.r.h.8]

🤼

[@stevenwilgus5422]

I am descended from Hugh DeSpencer the Younger through three of his children. Elizabeth le Despenser, Baroness Berkeley, Sir Edward Le Despencer, and Isabel le Despenser, Countess of Arundel. Incidentally, I am also descended from Edward III Plantagenet, Duke of York, King of England through his sons: Lionel Plantagenet, of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, John of Gaunt Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Thomas of Woodstock, Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Gloucester, and Edmund of Langley, Plantagenet, 1st Duke of York. (I have a colorful genealogy.)

[@radiantseedpod7708]

Hi there, distant cousin, I too am a descendent oh Hugh DeSpencer the Younger. Cheers!

[@stevenwilgus5422]

@@radiantseedpod7708 We are lucky to have survived his fate-- and that of his father. Cheers!

[@nicolelabram5575]

Is that a place name ? Or does it translate " the thinker" De penser?

[@stevenwilgus5422]

@@nicolelabram5575 : from Old French despense, from Latin dispendere to distribute; see dispense

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

What an utter fool and idiot Edward II was. He was given everything anyone could ever dream of, but just wanted to play with his sycophantic boyfriends! He was a complete disaster as a king, almost any man or woman in the kingdom would have been better.

[@Bshmjdsdyk]

I think he was cool

[@toprope_]

Reminds me of the Codds from Game of Thrones. Their words were “Though All Men May Despise Us”

[@Handlebar-MustDash]

Gaviscon was bad enough to give you indigestion.

[@PunkNetrunner]

💀

[@tombristowe846]

Berkeley Castle. It's pronounced Barclay, like the bank.

[@tombristowe846]

@@keelo-byte Been away; would've replied earlier. In English pronunciation, as opposed to American English. It's the same with Berkshire, one of our counties; it's pronounce "Barkshire". As the maker of this video is English I pointed it out. Had he been American I wouldn't have as I know they pronounce it differently, as in the university in California for instance, which has the same name.

[@Ubu987]

@@keelo-byte In ze Norman French.

[@RubyBlueUwU]

As an aside, successful sexual relationships with women don’t negate sexual relationships with men, it’s entirely possible for a historical figure to have been bisexual (or gay but not disgusted by sex with women, and simply adhering to the standards of the day out of necessity, self-preservation or just a lack of self-understanding as a result of persecution) sadly most historical figures are completely unidentifiable as LGBT, but it’s important when discussing the speculation to remember how nuanced LGBT identities are, and that it’s not as simple as being either obviously straight or obviously gay!

[@jackogrady3118]

Nobody actually cares

[@DarkMatterX1]

That's great and all, but no one gives a shit.

[@lily5952]

@@jackogrady3118 doesn't sound like *you* care, but many actually do care in the sense that historical figures were just normal human beings and sex is a key part of human life. It's not inconceivable that a king or nobleman was in fact what we would call nowadays "LGBT". If you cared about history, you'd explore all aspects of it and sexual identity of historical figures is one such aspect. Ones sexual identity, or lack thereof, can explain a lot of things about one's personality or motives (Freudian thinking, I suppose).

[@meredithwatterson6471]

He's my 22nd Great-Grandfather. That's where my kids get it from!

[@meredithwatterson6471]

I'm kidding of course.

[@meredithwatterson6471]

Oh yeah, the Berkeley castle guy is an ancestor as well. He's even worse. But really, my kids are angels!

[@sirlawrence9161]

Same, well don't know about 22 but around there.

[@penelopegreene]

But let's Despense with the formalities...

[@yarrowwitch]

Given who took his place, they'd have been better leaving Gaveston be!

[@alanmorris1828]

Wow. Just wow. And here I thought the present was an amazing time to be alive. ---Marya Hunyadi 🐎🐎🐎 🇺🇸 🇭🇺 🇲🇳👑

[@anthonyehrenzweig1635]

Edward II almost certainly was NOT killed in 1327. Please refer to the book by Ian Mortimer - The Perfect King - the life of Edward III..

[@LeatherCladVegan]

Whatever did happen to his brother, Pez?

[@cheknauss9867]

What a horrible death. As soon as I knew the other lords wanted smoke I would've just been like hey look y'all, I'm fitting to bounce and live nicely.

[@jackmoorehead2036]

Back then, they didnt waste any time after the conviction. No need for an Appeals Court.

[@boogiesmell5181]

Edward II was almost certainly not murdered. He lived on and went into exile. The chroniclers who recorded these events were no more informed about what really happened than the average man on the street. Many people who would have been very well informed about the true state of affairs were certain that he was alive well after he was rumoured to have died. There is some evidence that he was later att Corfe Castle, and from there moved on to Ireland and thence to the continent, finally ending up in a peaceful Italian convent. As crazy as this does sound it is the most likely scenario considering all the actual facts we are aware of. I won't get into it too deeply, but the Fieschi letter is of great significance, as is the fact the a man claiming to be the father of Edward III met with him in Koblenz, Germany years after. In those days, royal impersonators would regularly get executed, but this time... the man was allowed to live and was not persecuted in any way. He didn't even ask for anything, which is telling. Why, then, would Edward II not have tried to regain the throne, had he remained alive? Because of his personality. Kingship was forced upon him, and he had no interest in government. He enjoyed the company of lowborn people. He must have been painfully aware that his reign had been a disaster. He was pious and had always found the company of priests, prelates and monks very pleasant. In his teens, he faced criticism for staying much longer in their company than he would have needed to. He was always criticized for ignoring matters of state, always preferring to do hard work with his own hands. Now he was finally at peace, enjoying a blissful existence in a scenic Italian convent in a mountainous setting. He was among like minded people, an equal to them, allowed to fill his days with physical labour and piety, activities which had always given him joy. Why would he have wanted to return to the hellish existence he endured as a king? This is what I imagine he told his son in Germany, and was thus allowed by all to continue his peaceful existence. He was officially declared dead, but allowed to stay alive far away from England and its politics. It was a win-win situation for everyone.

[@vitabricksnailslime8273]

Justice was despensed.

[@l.b.2592]

To be reworked into House of the Dragon, season 2 and 3.

[@MrWildbill]

Hugh's brother Soap is very successful these days...

[@Handlebar-MustDash]

😂 His other siblings, Condom, Tampon and Bubblegum are doing well too.

[@sgtboz9730]

Booooo

[@thehermitman822]

Drink managed the invade the most territory.

[@MrWildbill]

@@Handlebar-MustDash -- lol

[@cw4608]

Priceless, don’t forget little Pez.

[@novallasuter5265]

But, no proof she took him as a lover.

[@trevormillar1576]

"Fancy a game of poker. Edward?:

[@michaelpipkin9942]

"The past was the worst."

[@sanderson9338]

So far

[@nicolelabram5575]

That's really sick even for the 14th century. Theses people called themselves Christians?

[@HdHd-cg4nz]

Iraq war was pretty bad 1 million dead. Ww2 18 million dead. Hiroshima 200,000 dead instantly. We’re pretty bad still.

[@sanderson9338]

@@HdHd-cg4nz it's relative what was the percentage of population wiped out? Genghis Khan in actual fact had a bigger impact than Hitler and Stalin in regards the size of world population. The newer the tech and more dense the human population it will escalate in casualties. 57,470 deaths in 1 day will be hard to beat at the Somme. 830,000 died in 1 day at the Shaaaxi earthquake. Both those numbers would be wiped out by a nuke on NY London Tokyo etc. Its relative.

[@sanderson9338]

@@HdHd-cg4nz only 80,000 died in the initial impact at Hiroshima not 200,000 but still incredibly unacceptable numbers.

[@JohnPlissken]

"We know he had a wife and kids, and had an affair wife his niece. And we he nothing to suggest he was gay. But it's 2022 so let's just say he might have been gay."

[@mikegrossberg8624]

There was plenty of rumors at the time to suggest that Despencer and Edward were lovers

[@andromeda-p9966]

He could've been bi.

[@mikegrossberg8624]

@Romeo Alfa What has THAT got to do with whether the King had a gay lover?

[@mikegrossberg8624]

@Romeo Alfa When it comes to those supposed to be running the country, the rumor is enough

[@lily5952]

Gay people exist, and have always existed. Deal with it. Considering how Edward favored certain male courtiers and showered them with gifts, even at the expense of his reputation and kingdom's treasuries, it does seem like he could have had a romantic attachment to these male favorites. Gay people have to live in the closet for survival even today in this supposedly modern world. One can only imagine how deep in the closet LGBT people had to be back then when you could be burned at the stake or beheaded for "sexual immorality".

[@jeremycole1341]

Best channel on KZbin

[@RaijuFiction]

Well that one detail uhh...made everything clench 👀

[@inconnu4961]

Even the way they named it! The British just ooze class!

[@jlyngdoh5608]

What detail and what name..??

[@stephenwhite3967]

One of the most hated person in exeter during the 20s Ivan Packer

[@80sMetalHead]

#Fantastic

[@michaelhanford8139]

The hanging, etc around 9:00 reads like a drug cartel's actions..or the cia's. Thank god we've evolved so much since then. 😨

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

How did you get it in your brain your nonsense that the CIA cuts people into pieces and ships the parts all over the realm for display?

[@stevoplex]

People were so harsh and mean to each other then.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

And disemboweled? That's a bit harsh don't you think?

[@grottybt5006]

The BBC lol, sir Oswald Mosley was a better man than anyone who works for the BBC. Notice they didn't think their Jimmy savile was maybe more hated, lots of people don't even know of Mosley

[@traqueliacooper5132]

Darn, I noticed you mentioned THE NICKNAME OR YOUR STAGE NAME IS SHE WOLF, DARN, BECAUSE YOUR ASCENT ABSOLUTELY FASCINATE ME. I CAN LISTEN TO YOU ALL NIGHT. YOU SHOULD BE NARRATIR OF BIG TIME MOVIES, AND MORE BECAUSE YOU WERE CERTAINLY BLESSED WITH WHAT I refer to as *"**.THE VOICE****. I always enjoy as well as learn something I didn't know before seeing your show, I'm just upset I just recently like 2 months ago came across your channel. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to share your knowledge with others such as myself. You and yours remain blessed, safe and happy

[@hoibsh21]

No wonder they call trash cans dispensers.

[@prieten49]

I can think of a few Republican senators in the USA who deserve the same punishment(s).

[@OBGynKenobi]

Good thing his brother Soap got away.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

_"Intimate friend..."_

[@mattflamenco]

Gaveston woods in Warwick is famous. His head was chopped off on the rock. It's still there twxt Warwick and Leek Wooton

[@_Yep_Yep_]

Hug Dispenser meanwhile mvp of 2022

[@croftmire]

Minor nitpick: Isabella, having been born in 1296, would’ve been at least 24 years old in 1321, not 23.

[@christaylor4477]

Ok so they really took punishment to far back in the day

[@Miss_Judged]

You're great

[@drbalbon7332]

"What an incredible guy, probably one of the greatest." - Donald Trump

[@larrybaker9924]

Pez ,is that the prince who Dispensed candy from his neck.

[@atomicmassacre1236]

11:40 How is Saint Thomas of Canterbury the worst Briton of the 12th century??

[@christianfreedom-seeker2025]

Hopefully the new King Charles doesn't end up in the "most dispised persons of Great Britian" club. 😁😆

[@tomhutchins7495]

The competition is very strong these days.

[@VoltasP]

Damn, that would be a great drag name, tho

[@HdHd-cg4nz]

Edward run away. No I didn’t I didn’t 🤣🤣

[@TrojansOwl1]

4:07 wrong Isabella bro

[@koriw1701]

Who knew that Piers Gaveston was one of founding members of the 27 club? Lol

[@marciahenthorn9050]

When were the nobles ever happy?

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Now it's Hugh mongus

[@nosillalaluna7078]

Are these representations of the people in your stories , valid?

[@theanonymousplayer]

I just found out he is one of my ancestors!!!

[@heyalright_]

I'm just gonna type Toast of London

[@shirleymental4189]

I've always wanted to be on telly.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Are you from Wainscoting?