 Urse came from an undistinguished family , and made his way on military reputation . He was probably born in about 1040 , but the exact date is unknown . He was from St Jean d 'Abbetot in Normandy , where his family had lands , and where he himself was a tenant of the lords of Tancarville . Other tenants of the Tancarville lords included Robert d 'Abetot and his wife <unk> , who held lands close to St Jean d 'Abbetot in the early 12th century ; despite the name , it is not certain that Robert d 'Abetot was related to Urse . Urse had a brother usually called Robert Despenser , sometimes known as Robert fitz Thurstin , who also became a royal official . The historian Emma Mason suggested that Urse may have been a nickname rather than a forename , perhaps given on account of his tenacious temperament . Urse 's usual last name derives from his ancestral village in Normandy . His brother 's usual last name of Despenser derives from his office , that of dispenser , in the royal household . 
