William Percy

Notes:

His father was first cousin to (among others) Edward IV of England, Margaret of Burgundy, 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 were his alleged second cousins. Percy was however the only one of the Percy family to appear to take the side of the House of York during the Wars of the Roses.

His father was loyal to the House of Lancaster. He was killed in the Battle of Towton on 29 March 1461. The earldom of Northumberland was forfeited by the victorious Yorkists. The adolescent Percy was imprisoned in the Fleet Prison. He was 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 said title to Percy was delayed by the Parliament of England until 1473.

For the following twelve years, Percy held many of the important government posts in Northern England which were traditional in his family. He commanded the Yorkist reserve at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 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 an alternative theory exists, that his forces, placed behind those of King Richards, were in no position to take part in the battle before Richard was killed.

If the first theory is true, then Henry himself was either unaware or not appreciative of his treasonous intentions. Percy was arrested along with Ralph Neville, 3rd Earl of Westmorland and Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. He was imprisoned for several months but swore allegiance to the new King. Henry VII released him on terms of good behavior. Percy was allowed to retain his titles and lands as well as returning to his old posts.

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 protestation of the high taxation. Percy was targeted by the rioters and killed on 28 April.

Yorkshire was formerly a stronghold of support of Richard III. Percy was presumably killed in vengeance for Richard.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry married Maud Herbert before 1476. Maud (daughter of 1st Earl of Pembroke William Herbert and Anne Devereaux) was born in 1448 in Ragland, Monmouthshire, Wales; died on 27 Jul 1485 in Beverley Minster, Beverley, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

His maternal uncles included Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury. His maternal aunts included Cecily Neville. Percy was first cousin to (among others) Edward IV of England, Margaret of Burgundy, George, Duke of Clarence and Richard III of England. He was thus closely related to the House of York.

Percy however followed his father in swearing allegiance to the House of Lancaster. On December 30, 1460, Percy is known to have fought on the Lancastrian side at the Battle of Wakefield. He commanded the Lancastrian van at the Battle of Towton, where he was killed.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry married Eleanor Poynings on 25 Jun 1435. Eleanor (daughter of Baron Poynings Richard Poynings and Eleanor Berkeley) was born about 1422 in Beverton, Gloucestershire, England; died in Feb 1484 in Raby Castle, Staindrop, Durham, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Anne Devereaux. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Eleanor Neville on 7 Oct 1414 in Berwick, Wiltshire, England. Eleanor (daughter of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort) was born in 1398 in Raby Castle, Durham, England; died in 1472 in Raby, Durham, England; was buried in Beverley, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Eleanor Neville
• Birth: Abt 1397, Raby Castle, Durham, England
• Birth: 1401, Raby Castle, Durham, England
• Birth: 1407, Raby Castle, Durham, England
• Death: 1440, Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, England
• Death: 1463, England

Richard married Eleanor Berkeley. Eleanor was born about 1422 in Beverstone, Gloucestershire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]