The title Baron le Despencer has been created several times by writ in the Peerage of England. The first creation ended with the forfeiture and execution of the second baron for treason. The second and fourth creations both ended in extinction when no heirs to the title remained.
The third creation was in favour of Sir Edward le Despencer. The second baron was created Earl of Gloucester in 1397, but in 1400 forfeit his titles for treason. Henry Beauchamp, who would have held the title but for the attainder, was created Duke of Warwick. Upon the death of his successor Anne, the attained barony fell into abeyance. In 1604, the Sovereign reversed the attainder and terminated the abeyance in favour of Mary Fane. Her successor in the barony was the first Earl of Westmorland, and the next six earls held the barony and the earldom together. At the death of the seventh earl, the barony again fell into abeyance. The abeyance was terminated for Sir Francis Dashwood, but at his death the barony again went into abeyance. Once again, the Sovereign had to terminate the abeyance, and the same was done in favour of Sir Thomas Stapleton, Baronet.
The eighteenth baron succeeded to the title of Viscount Falmouth, and the two titles have remained united since.
Baron Vesci of Alnwick in the county of Northumberland 29 December 1269.
Baron Clifford of Appleby in the county of Westmorland 1298.
The barony of LeDespencer was originally bestowed upon Hugh LeDespencer the father, the favourite of king Edward the second, and after- wards descended in the female line to the Beauchamps lords Bergavenny, the Neviles lords Abergavenny, and the Fanes earls of Westmorland.
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