Edward le Despenser Lord le Despenser
1336 – 1375
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Edward le Despenser, Knight of the Garter, is the kneeling knight of Tewkesbury: his effigy prays on the roof of his own chantry chapel, hands raised toward the altar, the most individual monument English chivalry left of itself. Froissart, who knew everyone, called him the most gallant knight of England. Born in 1336 to the family the gallows had ruined a decade earlier, he rebuilt its honour in France, married Elizabeth de Burghersh, and died at Llanblethian in 1375, to kneel at Tewkesbury for ever.
Research notes
✓ EDWARD LE DESPENSER, LORD LE DESPENSER (1357 creation), KG (b. Essendine 24 Mar 1335/6, d. Llanblethian 11 Nov 1375, bur. TEWKESBURY - the famous KNEELING KNIGHT effigy); Froissart's 'most gallant knight of England'. M. Elizabeth de Burghersh. Sources: CP IV (Despenser). Direct ancestor. Added 8 Aug 2026 (the Raleigh royal door - consolation wave after the St Leger door closed; full write-up in RANKED LEADS addendum).