Remains linked to
reviled gay lover of Edward II
By Avril Ormsby, from
the Web, February 19, 2008
LONDON, Feb. 18 -- A mutilated
body found at an abbey has been identified as that of Sir Hugh Despenser the
Younger, one of the most reviled medieval courtiers and reputed gay lover of the
Plantagenet king, Edward II.
Despenser died a gruesome death, being publicly hanged, drawn and quartered for
treason in 1326 following Edward's fall.
The remains, found in the 1970s on Despenser's brother-in-law's estate at Hulton
Abbey, Staffordshire, bear such hallmarks, anthropologist Mary Lewis says.
Lewis, from Reading University, made the link by drawing on the manner of
execution, carbon-dating of the bones and the absence of several parts of the
body.
The skull, part of the vertebra and one leg are buried on the family estate at
Tewkesbury Abbey.
"Research on the bones shows he was stabbed in the throat and probably stabbed
in the stomach, but we would not have any evidence to disembowelment unless the
knife had hit any bones," Lewis said.
"It was initially thought that the coffin had been disturbed, but the remains
clearly show the body had been cut up."
Despenser was also found guilty of theft at his Hereford hearing, and the
remains show the hands had been cut off, which would be in line with such a
fate.
Radiocarbon analysis dated the remains to between 1050 and 1385, and subsequent
tests suggested the male was over 34 years old. Sir Hugh was 40 when he
died.
Only about half a dozen people were hung, drawn and quartered during this time,
and they were high profile traitors.
Despenser's brutality and greed were notorious. He eliminated rivals and
seized their land, amassing a great fortune in the process.
His influence at court was immense, annoying the barons and alienating the
king's wife, Isabella.
One of the reasons put forward for her hatred was the rumored sexual
relationship between Despenser and Edward II.
Isabella formed a liaison with Roger Mortimer during a trip to France and
together they invaded England in 1326, capturing the fleeing king and Despenser.
Lewis said there were still some unanswered questions which, perhaps, only DNA
testing of the bones at Tewkesbury could resolve.
"I do not know for certain who it is, but it seems likely it is Despenser the
Younger," she said.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
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