Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester

Hugh le Despenser (1262 – October 17, 1326), son of Hugh le Despenser II, sometimes referred to as "the elder Despenser", was for a time the chief adviser to King Edward II of England.

He was created a baron by writ of summons to Parliament in 1295. He was one of the few barons to remain loyal to Edward during the controversy regarding Piers Gaveston. Despenser became Edward's loyal servant and chief administrator after Gaveston was executed in 1312, but the jealousy of other barons led to his being exiled along with his son Hugh the younger Despenser in 1321, when Edmund de Woodstoke replaced him as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

Edward found it difficult to manage without them, and recalled them to England a year later, an action which enraged the queen, Isabella, the more so when Despenser was created Earl of Winchester. When Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, led a rebellion against the king, both Despensers were captured and executed. The elder Despenser was hanged at Bristol on October 27, 1326.

Preceded by: The Lord Strange	Justice in Eyre south of the Trent 1296–1307	Succeeded by: Pain Tiptoft
Preceded by: The Lord Tibetot	Justice in Eyre south of the Trent 1307–1311	Succeeded by: Robert fitz Pain
Preceded by: Robert fitz Pain	Justice in Eyre south of the Trent 1312–1314	Succeeded by: The Lord Monthermer
Preceded by: The Lord Badlesmere	Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports 1320	Succeeded by: The Earl of Kent
Preceded by: The Earl of Pembroke	Justice in Eyre south of the Trent 1324–1326	Succeeded by: The Lord Wake of Liddell

Preceded by: New Creation	Earl of Winchester	Succeeded by: Extinct
Preceded by: Hugh le Despencer	Baron le Despencer