Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland
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Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland, KG
(c. 1502 – 1537) was an English nobleman, active as a military officer in the north. He is now primarily remembered as the betrothed of Anne Boleyn
, whom he was forced to give up before she became involved with King Henry VIII
.
, he fell in love with Anne Boleyn, then a young lady about the court. The intrigue was soon discovered, and the Earl of Northumberland sent for young Lord Percy. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey himself scolded the young man and Lord Percy gave way. This story in outline is not disputed, but details are still contentious.
Percy became betrothed to Anne probably in the spring of 1523, when he was still page to Wolsey. On hearing the news, Wolsey scolded Lord Percy before his household, since permission for the marriage had not been sought from his father nor from the King, who had an interest due to the importance of the Northumberland earldom. While Cavendish claimed that the King already had a personal interest at Anne at this point, driving Wolsey's angry reaction, this has been debated. A current suggestion as to a serious obstacle, as well as the proposed Talbot match, is that Anne was at this point intended (by Wolsey) to wed James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond, son of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond, to manage and resolve a dispute over the Earldom of Ormond involving Sir Thomas Boleyn, her father.
In fact Percy's father, once summoned, refused permission; and the son was quickly and unhappily married to Lady Mary Talbot
, daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury, by early 1524 or in 1525 with earlier legal stages. Starkey dates it at August 1525 or August 1526.This proved to be a union without issue. Percy disagreed with his wife, who returned to her father, and hated her husband heartily for the rest of his short life. Mary later sought a divorce. In 1532 Percy, now Earl of Northumberland stood in great danger, when his wife accused him of a precontract (i.e. betrothal with legal force) with Anne Boleyn. She confided her alleged grievance to her father, who then mentioned the matter to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
. Anne Boleyn, consulted, ordered an inquiry. Northumberland denied the accusation on oath.
In May 1536 Northumberland, by now a man in broken health, formed one of the jury for the trial of Anne Boleyn. Anne is said to have confessed a precontract with him in the hope of saving her life. He collapsed following the verdict and had to be carried out.
; in October he was made deputy warden of the east marches, and William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre
suggested that, young as he was, he should be made warden the same year. On 19 May 1527 he succeeded his father as sixth Earl of Northumberland; he was made steward of the honour of Holderness
on 18 June; on 2 December he became lord warden of the east and west marches.
, was burdened with debt, and yet had to keep up an establishment and engage in fighting on his own account. Wolsey treated him in a patronising manner so long as he was in power. He was not often allowed to go to court, nor even to his father's funeral. His chief friend was Sir Thomas Arundell.
In spite of all he was very active on the borders. He had leave in 1528 to come to London; in 1530, while he was at Topcliffe
, he received a message from the king ordering him to go to Cawood
and arrest Wolsey. He sent his prisoner south in the custody of Sir Roger Lascelles, while he remained to make an inventory of the Cardinal's goods. He was one of the peers who signed the letter to the Pope in July 1530 asking that the divorce might be hurried on, was a friend of Sir Thomas Legh, and possibly was a reformer. On 23 April 1531 he was created Knight of the Garter.; on 11 May 1532 he was made High Sheriff of Northumberland
for life; and on the 26th of the same month a privy councillor.
Northumberland took part in the trial of Lord Dacre in July 1534. In the January following he was accused of slackness on the borders, and also of having a sword of state
carried before him when he went as justiciary to York. If illness was in part responsible, Eustace Chapuys
also ranked him, on information which he had from his doctor, among the disaffected early in 1535.
, and viceregent of the order of the Garter
.
In September 1536 he had a grant of £1,000 to come to London in order to make arrangements about his lands. The matter was incomplete when the Pilgrimage of Grace
broke out. Northumberland's brothers and mother were open sympathisers with the rebels, but the Earl himself remained loyal. The rebel leader Robert Aske
and his men came to Wressle Castle
, where he was ill in bed, and asked Percy to resign his commands of the marches into the hands of his brothers, or at least go over to the rebels. He refused both requests; and when the lawyer William Stapleton went up to see him, he was in despair.’ Aske sent him to York, to protect him from his followers, who wanted to behead him.
Finding himself always ill, he made a grant to the king of his estates, on condition that they might pass to his nephew. When, however, his brother, Sir Thomas, was attainted, he made the grant unconditional in June 1537. By this time his mind was fast failing. He moved to Newington Green
, where Richard Layton
visited him on 29 June 1537. He said that he found him yellow and distended.
He died on 29 June 1537, and was buried in Hackney
church.
on his death, but was revived in favour of his nephew Thomas. His widow lived until 1572.
Northumberland's two brothers, Sir Thomas and Sir Ingelram Percy, took an active part in the management of his estates. They were both important leaders in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Both were taken prisoners. Sir Thomas was attainted and executed in 1537. His sons succeed to the earldom: Thomas
, as seventh earl and Henry
, as eighth earl. Sir Ingelram Percy was confined in the Beauchamp Tower
, where his name is to be seen cut in the stone. But he was soon liberated, went abroad, and died about 1540. He left an illegitimate daughter Isabel, who married, in 1544, Henry Tempest of Broughton.
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(c. 1502 – 1537) was an English nobleman, active as a military officer in the north. He is now primarily remembered as the betrothed of Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
, whom he was forced to give up before she became involved with King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
Early life
He was eldest son of Henry Algernon Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, by Catherine, daughter of Sir Robert Spencer. He was born about 1502, and sent, when quite young, to be a page in Thomas Wolsey's household. The principal source for the early passages of Percy's life there is the biography of Wolsey by George Cavendish. He was knighted in 1519.Involvement with Anne Boleyn
Though his father had destined him by 1516 for the daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of ShrewsburyGeorge Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury
George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, 4th Earl of Waterford, 10th Baron Talbot, 9th Baron Furnivall, KG was the son of John Talbot, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury and Lady Catherine Stafford, daughter of the 1st Duke of Buckingham....
, he fell in love with Anne Boleyn, then a young lady about the court. The intrigue was soon discovered, and the Earl of Northumberland sent for young Lord Percy. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey himself scolded the young man and Lord Percy gave way. This story in outline is not disputed, but details are still contentious.
Percy became betrothed to Anne probably in the spring of 1523, when he was still page to Wolsey. On hearing the news, Wolsey scolded Lord Percy before his household, since permission for the marriage had not been sought from his father nor from the King, who had an interest due to the importance of the Northumberland earldom. While Cavendish claimed that the King already had a personal interest at Anne at this point, driving Wolsey's angry reaction, this has been debated. A current suggestion as to a serious obstacle, as well as the proposed Talbot match, is that Anne was at this point intended (by Wolsey) to wed James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond, son of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond, to manage and resolve a dispute over the Earldom of Ormond involving Sir Thomas Boleyn, her father.
In fact Percy's father, once summoned, refused permission; and the son was quickly and unhappily married to Lady Mary Talbot
Mary Percy, Countess of Northumberland
Mary Percy , Countess of Northumberland was a courtier and noblewoman during the reign of Henry VIII of England. She was the daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury...
, daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury, by early 1524 or in 1525 with earlier legal stages. Starkey dates it at August 1525 or August 1526.This proved to be a union without issue. Percy disagreed with his wife, who returned to her father, and hated her husband heartily for the rest of his short life. Mary later sought a divorce. In 1532 Percy, now Earl of Northumberland stood in great danger, when his wife accused him of a precontract (i.e. betrothal with legal force) with Anne Boleyn. She confided her alleged grievance to her father, who then mentioned the matter to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, KG, Earl Marshal was a prominent Tudor politician. He was uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of the wives of King Henry VIII, and played a major role in the machinations behind these marriages...
. Anne Boleyn, consulted, ordered an inquiry. Northumberland denied the accusation on oath.
In May 1536 Northumberland, by now a man in broken health, formed one of the jury for the trial of Anne Boleyn. Anne is said to have confessed a precontract with him in the hope of saving her life. He collapsed following the verdict and had to be carried out.
First positions
In July 1522 he was made a member of the Council of the NorthCouncil of the North
The Council of the North was an administrative body originally set up in 1484 by king Richard III of England, the third and last Yorkist monarch to hold the Crown of England; its intention was to improve government control and economic prosperity, to benefit the entire area of Northern England...
; in October he was made deputy warden of the east marches, and William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre
William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre
William Dacre, 7th Baron Greystock, later 3rd Baron Dacre of Gilsland was an English peer, a Cumberland landowner, and the holder of important offices under the Crown, including many years' service as Warden of the West Marches....
suggested that, young as he was, he should be made warden the same year. On 19 May 1527 he succeeded his father as sixth Earl of Northumberland; he was made steward of the honour of Holderness
Holderness
Holderness is an area of the East Riding of Yorkshire, on the east coast of England. An area of rich agricultural land, Holderness was marshland until it was drained in the Middle Ages. Topographically, Holderness has more in common with the Netherlands than other parts of Yorkshire...
on 18 June; on 2 December he became lord warden of the east and west marches.
Border warfare
Northumberland was constantly ill with an agueAgue
Ague may refer to:* Fever* MalariaSee also:* Kan Ague, a residential area of Patikul, Sulu, Philippines...
, was burdened with debt, and yet had to keep up an establishment and engage in fighting on his own account. Wolsey treated him in a patronising manner so long as he was in power. He was not often allowed to go to court, nor even to his father's funeral. His chief friend was Sir Thomas Arundell.
In spite of all he was very active on the borders. He had leave in 1528 to come to London; in 1530, while he was at Topcliffe
Topcliffe
Topcliffe may refer to:*Topcliffe, North Yorkshire*Topcliffe, West Yorkshire*RAF Topcliffe*Richard Topcliffe...
, he received a message from the king ordering him to go to Cawood
Cawood
Cawood is a large village and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England that is notable as the finding-place of the Cawood sword....
and arrest Wolsey. He sent his prisoner south in the custody of Sir Roger Lascelles, while he remained to make an inventory of the Cardinal's goods. He was one of the peers who signed the letter to the Pope in July 1530 asking that the divorce might be hurried on, was a friend of Sir Thomas Legh, and possibly was a reformer. On 23 April 1531 he was created Knight of the Garter.; on 11 May 1532 he was made High Sheriff of Northumberland
High Sheriff of Northumberland
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of the English county of Northumberland.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post...
for life; and on the 26th of the same month a privy councillor.
Northumberland took part in the trial of Lord Dacre in July 1534. In the January following he was accused of slackness on the borders, and also of having a sword of state
Sword of State
A sword of state is a sword, used as part of the regalia, symbolizing the power of a monarch to use the might of the state against its enemies, and their duty to preserve thus right and peace.It is known to be used in following monarchies:...
carried before him when he went as justiciary to York. If illness was in part responsible, Eustace Chapuys
Eustace Chapuys
Eustace Chapuys was a Savoyard diplomat who served as the Imperial ambassador to England from 1529 until 1545 and is best known for his extensive and detailed correspondence.-Life:...
also ranked him, on information which he had from his doctor, among the disaffected early in 1535.
Later life
Having no children, Northumberland now began to arrange his affairs. In February 1535 he wrote to Thomas Cromwell that he had decided to make the king his heir, a decision he confirmed later. In 1536 he was created Lord President of the Council of the NorthCouncil of the North
The Council of the North was an administrative body originally set up in 1484 by king Richard III of England, the third and last Yorkist monarch to hold the Crown of England; its intention was to improve government control and economic prosperity, to benefit the entire area of Northern England...
, and viceregent of the order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
.
In September 1536 he had a grant of £1,000 to come to London in order to make arrangements about his lands. The matter was incomplete when the Pilgrimage of Grace
Pilgrimage of Grace
The Pilgrimage of Grace was a popular rising in York, Yorkshire during 1536, in protest against Henry VIII's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, as well as other specific political, social and economic grievances. It was done in action against Thomas Cromwell...
broke out. Northumberland's brothers and mother were open sympathisers with the rebels, but the Earl himself remained loyal. The rebel leader Robert Aske
Robert Aske (political leader)
Robert Aske was an English lawyer who became the leader of rebellion in York. He led the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 and was executed by Henry VIII for treason in 1537.-Biography:...
and his men came to Wressle Castle
Wressle Castle
Wressle Castle is a Grade I listed quadrangular castle located in Wressle, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The castle was built c.1380–1390 by Sir Thomas Percy. The castle was garrisoned by Parliament during the English Civil War, and was largely demolished by an act of Parliament in...
, where he was ill in bed, and asked Percy to resign his commands of the marches into the hands of his brothers, or at least go over to the rebels. He refused both requests; and when the lawyer William Stapleton went up to see him, he was in despair.’ Aske sent him to York, to protect him from his followers, who wanted to behead him.
Finding himself always ill, he made a grant to the king of his estates, on condition that they might pass to his nephew. When, however, his brother, Sir Thomas, was attainted, he made the grant unconditional in June 1537. By this time his mind was fast failing. He moved to Newington Green
Newington Green
Newington Green is an open space in north London which straddles the border between Islington and Hackney. It gives its name to the surrounding area, roughly bounded by Ball's Pond Road to the south, Petherton Road to the west, the southern section of Stoke Newington with Green Lanes-Matthias Road...
, where Richard Layton
Richard Layton
Richard Layton was an English churchman, jurist and diplomat, dean of York and a principal agent of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell in the Dissolution of the Monasteries.-Life:...
visited him on 29 June 1537. He said that he found him yellow and distended.
He died on 29 June 1537, and was buried in Hackney
Hackney (parish)
Hackney was a parish in the historic county of Middlesex. The parish church of St John-at-Hackney was built in 1789, replacing the nearby former 16th century parish church dedicated to St Augustine . The original tower of that church was retained to hold the bells until the new church could be...
church.
Family
He married, in 1524, Mary Talbot, daughter of George, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, but left no issue. The earldom fell into abeyanceAbeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
on his death, but was revived in favour of his nephew Thomas. His widow lived until 1572.
Northumberland's two brothers, Sir Thomas and Sir Ingelram Percy, took an active part in the management of his estates. They were both important leaders in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Both were taken prisoners. Sir Thomas was attainted and executed in 1537. His sons succeed to the earldom: Thomas
Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland
Blessed Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland, 1st Baron Percy, KG , led the Rising of the North and was executed for treason. He was later beatified by the Catholic Church.-Early life:...
, as seventh earl and Henry
Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland
Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland, 2nd Baron Percy was an English aristocrat and conspirator.-Life:He was born at Newburn Manor about 1532, was second of the two sons of Sir Thomas Percy, who was executed in 1537 as a chief actor in the Pilgrimage of Grace, and Eleanor Harbottle...
, as eighth earl. Sir Ingelram Percy was confined in the Beauchamp Tower
Beauchamp Tower
Beauchamp TowerBeauchamp Tower is just one of the 21 towers which, together, form the Tower of London castle complex. Its present name probably refers to the residence in it as a prisoner of Thomas, third Earl of Warwick, of the Beauchamp family, who was attainted under Richard II in 1397, but...
, where his name is to be seen cut in the stone. But he was soon liberated, went abroad, and died about 1540. He left an illegitimate daughter Isabel, who married, in 1544, Henry Tempest of Broughton.