[Illustration] The Spencers claim a collateral descent from the
ancient baronial house of Le Despenser, a claim which, without being
irreconcileable perhaps with the early pedigrees of that family,
admits of very grave doubts and considerable difficulties. It seems
to be admitted that they descend from Henry Spencer, who, having
been educated in the Abbey of Evesham, obtained from the abbot in
the reign of Henry VI. a lease of the domains and tithes of Badby in
this county, and was induced to settle there. His son removed to
Hodnell in Warwickshire, his grandson to Rodburn in the same county,
his great-grandson Sir John purchased Althorpe in 1508. The Spencers
of Claverdon, co. Warwick (extinct 1685), were a younger branch. The
Dukes of Marlborough (1702) represent the elder line of this family.
See Baker's Northamptonshire, i. 106; and Brydges's Collins, i. 378.
The poet Spenser boasted that he belonged to this house; though,
says Baker, "the precise link of genealogical connexion cannot now
perhaps be ascertained."
ARMS.--_Quarterly, first and fourth argent, second and third gules,
a fret or, over all a bend sable charged with three escallops of the
first_. This coat, which is differenced from the ancient baronial
arms by the three escallop shells, was used by Henry Spencer of
Badby, who sealed his will with it. In 1504 another coat was
granted, viz. _Azure, a fess ermine between six sea-mew's heads
erased argent_, but the more ancient arms have been generally borne
by the Spencers.
Present Representative, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer.