Only daughter and heir of Bartholomew, fourth Baron Burghersh, by his
first wife Cicely de Weyland; and Baroness Burghersh in her own right.
She was born probably about 1340, and brought up under the care of her
step-mother Margaret de Badlesmere. About 1360 or earlier, she married
Edward Lord Le Despenser, who left her a widow November 11th, 1375. Her
family numbered eight, of whom Edward, Hugh, and Cicely, died infants;
Elizabeth married John de Arundel and William third Lord de La Zouche;
Anne married Hugh Hastings and Thomas fourth Lord Morley; Margaret
married Robert, fifth Lord Ferrers of Chartley; Philippa apparently died
unmarried; for Thomas, the youngest, see the next article. Elizabeth
stood sponsor in 1382 to Richard Neville, afterwards the second husband
of her grand-daughter Isabel. (_Prob. cet. dicti Ricardi_, 4 H. IV
44.) The custody of her son Thomas was granted to her during his
minority (_Rot. Pat_. 11 R. II, Part 2.) She died "on the feast of
Saint Anne," July 26th, 1411, aged probably about 70. (_Ing. Post
Mortem_ 4 H. V 52, _Constancies Le Despenser_.) The inferences are
slight which tend to show her Lollardism. The terms of her last will
are decidedly Lollard; she was joined in the baptism of Richard Neville
by Alice, widow of Sir Richard Stury; and she was niece of Joan, Lady
Mohun of Dunster--two of the most prominent Lollards of the period. Le
Despenser was a Lollard house by tradition and inheritance. No portrait
known; character imaginary.