Our common ancestors - Despenser - Contents

Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire

Tewkesbury Abbey, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
See map and street view.

Burial place of:

Hugh Despenser the Younger (died 1326).
His grandson Edward Despenser, 1st Baron Despenser (died 1375) and his wife.
His son Thomas Despenser, 1st Earl of Gloucester (died 1400).
His daughter Isabel le Despenser (died 1439).
Her 1st husband Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester (died 1422).

Stained glass windows

There are seven 14th century stained glass windows at Tewkesbury Abbey.
Given to the Abbey by Eleanor de Clare (died 1337).
Two are of special interest to us, showing various noble figures connected to the Abbey.
The windows were restored in 1923, so actually look more recent. But in fact they are 14th century.
See plaque.

Guide to the two stained glass windows of special interest to us.
From p.77 of [Masse, 1901].

First stained glass window. Over the Beauchamp chantry.
See larger and full size. Photo 2015. From here. Creative Commons.
The 2nd is clearly de Clare.
Caption says the figures are:

Robert Fitzroy, d.1147.
Gilbert de Clare I d.1230 or Gilbert III d.1314.
Hugh II Despenser, executed 1326.
Robert Fitzhamon d.1107, founder of the Abbey.

Second stained glass window. Opposite the previous.
See full size. Photo 2015. From here. Creative Commons.
See wider but lower quality 2026 shot.
The 1st, 3rd and 4th are clearly de Clares.
[Masse, 1901] says the figures are:

According to the notice at Caerphilly Castle, this figure (the 3rd one across, not the 4th one) is Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester.
Photo 2015. See full size. From here. Creative Commons.

References

The Abbey Church of Tewkesbury by H.J.L.J. Masse, 1901.
Tewkesbury Abbey guide book, C.E. Whitney, 2024.

Sources yet to be consulted

The history of Tewkesbury, by James Bennett, 1830.

Book of Founders and Benefactors of Tewkesbury Abbey, early 1500s.
- See images of many notable people.