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From: Douglas Richardson <>
Subject: Re: C.P. Addition: Isabel le Despenser, 1st wife of Richard deArundel, Earl of Arundel & Surrey
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 15:31:22 -0700 (PDT)
References: <0219f9f0-ba44-4ea2-a024-67ae40390ccd@w38g2000pri.googlegroups.com>

Dear Newsgroup ~

In my previous post, I stated that Emily Sarah Holt in her book, The
Well in the Desert, indicated that Isabel daughter of Hugh le
Despenser was buried in the Chapter-House of Westminster Abbey.
However, it appears that Ms. Holt was in error.

There is an interesting article on the Austin Friars of London in
Gentleman’s Magazine, n.s. 8 (1860): 372–376. This article may be
viewed at the following weblink:

http://books.google.com/books?id=2aLPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA373

This article makes it clear that Isabel le Despenser and her brother,
Philip le Despenser, were actually buried in the Chapter House of the
Austin Friars, London, not in the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey.

Furthermore, I've determined that following the annulment of her
marriage to Earl Richard de Arundel, Isabel le Despenser is recorded
in 1345 as holding the following manors for life [by grant] of her
former husband: High Roding, Ovesham (in Matching), Prittlewell,
Margaretting, Woolston (in Chigwell), and Little Canfield, Essex [see
Cal. Patent Rolls, 1343–1345 (1902): 487–488; Cal. Patent Rolls, 1345–
1348 (1903): 18; VCH Essex 4 (1956): 24–32; VCH Essex 8 (1983): 196–
206]. One of these manors, Prittlewell, is near Southend, Essex and
lies in the same vicinity as Great Wakering, Essex where Isabel le
Despenser sued the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England,
concerning a duty to repair walls.

Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah

This thread:

• C.P. Addition: Isabel le Despenser, 1st wife of Richard de Arundel,Earl of Arundel & Surrey by Douglas Richardson <>