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Robert Despenser

1066 – 1098

Royal steward

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About Robert Despenser

Lived 1066 – 1098 (aged 31–32). Robert Despenser was a feudatory.

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.

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Important facts

Born
1066, Normandy
Birth century
Died
1098, England
Occupation
Positions held
Mayor of the Palace

People in Robert Despenser's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Despenser's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Despenser?

Royal steward

When was Robert Despenser born?

Robert Despenser was born in 1066 in Normandy.

When did Robert Despenser die?

Robert Despenser died in 1098 in England.

What was Robert Despenser's occupation?

Robert Despenser was a feudatory.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Despenser

· Wikidata: Q7343510

· DBpedia: Robert Despenser

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Despenser. https://biography.guide/robert-despenser/

MLA: "Robert Despenser." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-despenser/.

Chicago: "Robert Despenser." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-despenser/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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