and no desire to right a wronged woman influence his acts;
but who probably was not desirous to blacken the memory of his father,
and had no wish to disturb his brother's wife in the enjoyment of Kent's
estates. So the answer returned to Joan's petition was--"_Soit fait
comme il est desire_"--an answer fatal to the hopes the claim, and the
birthright, of the unfortunate Alianora.

DESPENSER, ELIZABETH LE, BARONESS OF CARDIFF.

Only daughter and heir of Bartholomew, fourth Baron Burghersh, by his
first wife Cicely de Weyland; and Baroness Burghersh in her own right.
She was born probably about 1340, and brought up under the care of her
step-mother Margaret de Badlesmere. About 1360 or earlier, she married
Edward Lord Le Despenser, who left her a widow November 11th, 1375. Her
family numbered eight, of whom Edward, Hugh, and Cicely, died infants;
Elizabeth married John de Arundel and William third Lord de La Zouche;
Anne married Hugh Hastings and Thomas fourth Lord Morley; Margaret
married Robert, fifth Lord Ferrers of Chartley; Philippa apparently died
unmarried; for Thomas, the youngest, see the next article. Elizabeth
stood sponsor in 1382 to Richard Neville, afterwards the second husband
of her grand-daughter Isabel. (_Prob. cet. dicti Ricardi_, 4 H. IV
44.) The custody of her son Thomas was granted to her during his
minority (_Rot. Pat_. 11 R. II, Part 2.) She died "on the feast of
Saint Anne," July 26th, 1411, aged probably about 70. (_Ing. Post
Mortem_ 4 H. V 52, _Constancies Le Despenser_.) The inferences are
slight which tend to show her Lollardism. The terms of her last will
are decidedly Lollard; she was joined in the baptism of Richard Neville
by Alice, widow of Sir Richard Stury; and she was niece of Joan, Lady
Mohun of Dunster--two of the most prominent Lollards of the period. Le
Despenser was a Lollard house by tradition and inheritance. No portrait
known; character imaginary.

DESPENSER, THOMAS LE, BARON OF CARDIFF, GLAMORGAN, AND MORGAN.

Youngest of the eight children of Edward fourth Lord Le Despenser (a
name sometimes mistakenly abbreviated to Spencer, for it is _le
depenseur_, "the spender,") and Elizabeth Baroness Burghersh. Born
September 21st or 22nd, 1373 (_Inq. Post Mortem_ 49 E. III ii. 46,
_Edwardi Le Despenser_), and named after his father's younger brother.
He was left fatherless when only two years old, November 11th, 1375.
(_Ibidem_.) During his minority he was commi