Robert Despenser

Robert Despenser (sometimes Robert Despensator, Robert Dispenser, or Robert fitzThurstin; died after 1098) was a Norman officeholder and landholder in post-Conquest medieval England.

Career Despenser was the brother of Urse d'Abetot, who was sheriff of Worcestershire shortly after the Conquest. |group=note Although Despenser was married, the name of his wife is not known for sure. He may be the Robert de Abitot referred to in a confirmation charter of King Stephen of England's, but this identification is not certain.

Legacy Despenser appears to have had no legitimate male children, as his heir was his brother Urse. Despenser's office as steward may also have gone to Urse, as later the office passed to Urse's heirs. The medieval writer Orderic Vitalis states that it was Despenser who gave Ranulf Flambard his surname of Flambard, which means torch-bearer or incendiary. This was applied to Flambard because of his overwhelming personality.