Medieval Europe: Knights, Kings, and Brutal Survival — Fexingo History

The 1382 Crusade of Despenser: Bishop at War

3 min · 12. juni 2026
episode The 1382 Crusade of Despenser: Bishop at War cover

Description

In 1383, a bishop led an English army to Flanders on a crusade that was part holy war, part political gamble. Henry Despenser, Bishop of Norwich, marched against the supporters of the Avignon pope Clement VII. Though initially successful at Gravelines and Dunkirk, the campaign stalled at Ypres and ended in humiliation. The episode explores how the Great Schism turned neighbor against neighbor, how papal politics mixed with wool trade interests, and how Despenser's crusade became a cautionary tale about mixing faith, war, and commerce. We cover the key figures: Despenser, Pope Urban VI, the citizens of Ghent, and the French army. The crusade's failure led to the Treaty of Leulinghem and strained England's military resources. A fascinating and little-known chapter of the Hundred Years' War and the Western Schism. #HenryDespenser #CrusadeOfDespenser #Flanders1383 #GreatSchism #AvignonPapacy #UrbanVI #ClementVII #HundredYearsWar #Ypres #Ghent #Gravelines #Dunkirk #BishopAtWar #MedievalCrusade #FexingoHistory #MedievalEurope #PapalPolitics #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

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