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 Abt 1449 - 1489 (40 years)
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| Name |
Henry Percy |
| Suffix |
4th Earl of Northumberland |
| Birth |
Abt 1449 |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
28 Apr 1489 |
Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England  |
| Person ID |
I65168 |
Bob Juch's Tree |
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2022 |
| Father |
3rd Earl of Northumberland Henry Percy, b. 25 Jul 1421, Alnwick, Northumberland, England d. 29 Mar 1461, Battle of Towton, Yorkshire, England (Age 39 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Mother |
Eleanor Poynings, b. Abt 1422, Beverton, Gloucestershire, England d. Feb 1484, Raby Castle, Staindrop, Durham, England (Age 62 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Marriage |
25 Jun 1435 |
| Family ID |
F22493 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Maud Herbert, b. 1448, Ragland, Monmouthshire, Wales d. 27 Jul 1485, Beverley Minster, Beverley, Yorkshire, England (Age 37 years) |
| Marriage |
Bef 1476 |
| Children |
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| Family ID |
F22494 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2022 |
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| Event Map |
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 | Death - 28 Apr 1489 - Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England |
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| 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
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