This Day in History: 1326-10-27

On 27th October 1326, Hugh Despenser the Elder was hauled before a tribunal at Bristol including Roger Mortimer (Edward II’s wife’s lover), Henry of Lancaster, brother of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (lord of Pontefract) and the king’s half-brothers, Kent and Norfolk. Despenser had been charged with holding Bristol to thwart Queen Isabella’s advance against her husband’s (EdwardII) forces; the siege lasted eight days. Despenser was not allowed to speak in his defence and was hanged, beheaded and his body fed to the dogs.