Spouse(s) Maud Herbert Great-grandparents Henry Percy Name Henry 4th | Mother Eleanor Poynings Noble family House of Percy | |
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Children Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, Eleanor Percy, Duchess of Buckingham, Anne Percy Parents Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland, Eleanor Poynings Grandparents Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, Eleanor Percy, Countess of Northumberland | ||
Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland (c. 1449 – 28 April 1489) was an English aristocrat during the Wars of the Roses. After losing his title when his father was killed fighting the Yorkists, he later regained his position. He led a major portion of Richard III's army at the Battle of Bosworth, but failed to commit his troops. He was briefly imprisoned by Henry VII, but later restored to his position. A few years later he was murdered by citizens of York during a revolt against Henry VII's taxation.
Contents
- Origins
- Loss and restoration of title
- Bosworth campaign and aftermath
- Marriage and progeny
- Death
- References
Origins
Percy was the son of Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland, and his wife Eleanor Poynings, daughter of Sir Richard Poynings (d. 10 June 1429).
His father was first cousin to (among others) Edward IV of England, Margaret of York, George, Duke of Clarence, and Richard III of England. Percy himself was second cousin to (among others) Elizabeth of York, Edward V of England, Richard, Duke of York, Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, Edward, Earl of Warwick, and Edward of Middleham. Both Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel claimed to be his second cousins.
Loss and restoration of title
His father had been loyal to the House of Lancaster. He was killed in the Battle of Towton on 29 March 1461, after which the earldom of Northumberland was forfeited to the victorious Yorkists. The adolescent Percy was first imprisoned in the Fleet Prison, and then transported to the Tower of London in 1464.
In 1465, John Neville was named Earl of Northumberland in his place. Percy eventually swore fealty to Edward IV and was released in 1469. He petitioned for the return of his paternal titles and estates to him. He gained support by Edward IV himself. John Neville had to quit his title and was instead named Marquess of Montagu in 1470. However the restoration of the title to Percy was delayed by the Parliament of England until 1473. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1474.
For the following twelve years, Percy held many of the important government posts in northern England, such as warden of the east and middle marches, which were traditional in his family.
Bosworth campaign and aftermath
He commanded the Yorkist reserve at the Battle of Bosworth Field on 22 August 1485. Percy never committed his forces to the battle. His inactivity played an important part in the defeat and death of Richard III. Historians suspect him of treason in favour of victor Henry VII of England, although there is an alternative theory that his forces, placed behind those of King Richard, were in no position to take part in the battle before Richard was killed.
Percy was arrested along with Ralph Neville, 3rd Earl of Westmorland and Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. He was nominally imprisoned for several months but swore allegiance to the new King. Henry VII released him on terms of good behaviour. Percy was allowed to retain his titles and lands as well as being allowed to return to his old posts, and was in fact sent on diplomatic missions for the crown, something that would not have occurred had Henry VII not trusted him implicitly.
Marriage and progeny
At some time between 1473 and 1476, Percy married Maud Herbert (1448 – 27 July 1485/1495), a daughter of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1423-1469) by his wife Anne Devereaux. She had first been betrothed to Henry of Richmond, who would usurp the throne in 1485 and become Henry VII. They had eight children:
Death
In April 1489, Percy held temporary residence in his estates of Yorkshire. Henry VII had recently allied himself to Anne of Brittany against Charles VIII of France. Taxes rose to finance the military action. Sir John Egremont of Yorkshire led a riot in protest at the high taxation, known as the Yorkshire rebellion. Percy was targeted by the rioters, many of whom had not forgiven him for his betrayal of Richard III at Bosworth 4-years earlier, as he approached the city and lynched on 28 April. He was buried at Beverley Minster.