espenser, Hugh le (died 1265), one of the English barons who participated in the so-called Mad Parliament, which in 1258 formulated the Provisions of Oxford, a plan of government reform. During the period of truce (1258-63) between the barons and King Henry III, le Despenser became (1260) chief justiciar of England. Upon the outbreak of the Barons' War, however, he sided with the barons' leader, Simon de Montfort, serving as Montfort's justiciar in 1264. Le Despenser was killed in the Battle of Evesham; in that battle the barons were defeated by Henry's son, Prince Edward, who later became king as Edward I. [Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia]

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