Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland facts for kids

Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland (born 1393, died 1455) was an important English noble. He was a military leader during the time leading up to the Wars of the Roses.

Henry's father, Henry "Hotspur" Percy, and his grandfather, Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, both died in rebellions against King Henry IV. Because of this, young Henry spent his childhood living away from England in Scotland. After King Henry IV died in 1413, Henry Percy was able to return. In 1414, he was given the title of Earl of Northumberland.

For many years, Northumberland helped the king in France. But his main job was to protect the border with Scotland. At the same time, a rivalry grew between his family and the Neville family. This rivalry became mixed with a bigger conflict between two powerful dukes, York and Somerset. This conflict eventually led to the first battle of the Wars of the Roses at St Albans. Both Somerset and Northumberland were killed in this battle.

Early Life and Family History

Henry Percy was the son of Sir Henry "Hotspur" Percy. His mother was Lady Elizabeth Mortimer. Elizabeth's family was also very important. Her grandfather was King Edward III.

Henry's grandfather, also named Henry Percy, was the first in their family to be called Earl of Northumberland. This happened in 1377.

Rebellions and Exile

Both Hotspur and his father strongly supported Henry Bolingbroke. Henry Bolingbroke took the throne from King Richard II in 1399. He became King Henry IV.

At first, the Percys were well rewarded. But they soon became unhappy with the new king. Hotspur rebelled and was killed at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403.

Hotspur's father, the first earl, was not at the battle. But he was part of the rebellion. After a short time in prison, he was forgiven. In 1404, he gave his grandson, young Henry, to the king.

However, by 1405, the earl was involved in another rebellion. His plans failed. He had to escape to Scotland, taking his grandson with him. For the next few years, they moved around. Young Henry stayed with the Duke of Albany. In 1408, the first Earl of Northumberland was killed at the Battle of Bramham Moor. This made young Henry Percy the heir to the earldom.

Return to England and New Title

Henry stayed in Scotland until King Henry V became king in 1413. Henry Percy then tried to get his grandfather's title back. The king's aunt, Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland, helped him. She arranged for Henry to marry her daughter, Eleanor.

King Henry V wanted to make peace with the Percy family. They had many connections in northern England. So, on May 11, 1414, Henry Percy got his title back. He officially became the Earl of Northumberland on March 16, 1416.

Serving the King and Protecting the Border

Warkworth Castle in Northumberland was the main home of the Percy family.

Northumberland sometimes served in King Henry V's wars in France. He went with the king on a trip to Europe in 1416. He also sent some soldiers the next year.

However, his most important job was defending the Scottish Borders. In 1416, he was made Warden of the East March. This meant he was in charge of protecting that part of the border.

In 1417, the Scots invaded northern England. Percy stopped their attacks on Berwick Castle and Roxburgh Castle. He forced the Scottish leaders back across the border. He also took part in national events. He was a steward at the coronation of King Henry's queen, Catherine, in 1421.

Working with the Royal Council

When King Henry V died in 1422, Northumberland joined the council. This council governed England while the new king, Henry VI, was a child. Northumberland's main job was still in the border region.

He was often busy with peace talks and defending northern England. But he felt his efforts were not fully supported by the king. In 1434, he gave up his role as Warden. The next year, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, also gave up his role for similar reasons.

Northumberland was then appointed joint warden of both marches for one year. During this time, he stopped a siege on Roxburgh by James I of Scotland. In 1440, he became Warden of the West March again. He held this position until his death.

Rivalry with the Neville Family

At first, Northumberland got along well with the Neville family. He was connected to them through his marriage to Eleanor Neville. In 1426, his sister Elizabeth married Ralph Neville, 2nd Earl of Westmorland.

In the early 1450s, the relationship between the Percy family and the Earl of Salisbury got worse. Salisbury was Ralph Neville's son from his second marriage.

The Wressle Castle Dispute

The conflict started because of a marriage. Salisbury's son, Thomas, married Maud Stanhope. She was the niece and heir of Lord Cromwell. This marriage meant that Wressle Castle, which the Percy family had traditionally owned, would go to the Nevilles.

Northumberland was getting older and did not act right away. But one of his younger sons did. Thomas Percy had been made Baron Egremont in 1449. His lands were in Cumberland, an area controlled by the Nevilles.

On August 24, 1453, Thomas Percy attacked the Neville-Cromwell wedding party. This happened at Heworth near York. He had over 700 men. No one was killed, and the wedding party escaped.

Escalation of Conflict

The conflict continued for years. In October, Northumberland and Salisbury were told by the court to stop fighting. But they ignored the warnings.

Instead, the Percy and Neville families gathered their forces. They were at their strongholds in Yorkshire, only a few miles apart. Both sides ignored royal commands to stop. A battle seemed likely. But a truce was made, and the forces left.

Then, in October 1454, Thomas Percy and his brother Richard were captured by the Nevilles. This happened in a battle at Stamford Bridge. The conflict was growing, and it was becoming part of bigger national problems.

The Road to Civil War

Henry Percy was buried at the abbey of St Albans Cathedral.

Many people in England were unhappy with King Henry VI's rule. The main rivals were Richard, Duke of York, and Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. Somerset had a lot of influence over the king.

In 1453, the king became ill. York was then made protector in 1454. The Nevilles were close to York. So, Northumberland naturally sided with Somerset and the king. Attempts were made to make peace between Northumberland and Salisbury, but they failed.

In December, the king recovered enough to take back control. York's time as protector ended. With Somerset back in power, a civil war seemed very close.

The First Battle of St Albans

In May 1455, Northumberland was traveling with the king and Somerset. They were going to a meeting in Leicester. But York and the Nevilles stopped them.

On May 22, 1455, the royal forces fought against York's forces. This was at the First Battle of St Albans. This battle is seen as the start of the Wars of the Roses. York's side won completely. The king was captured, and Somerset was killed.

Northumberland was also killed in the battle. He was buried at the nearby St Albans Abbey. Some historians believe the battle's real purpose was to settle personal scores. Once York and Salisbury had killed Somerset and Northumberland, the fighting largely stopped.

Family and Lands

The Percy family's lands were mostly in the northern counties of Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Cumberland. Even though Henry Percy got his title back in 1416, he didn't get all his family's lands back right away. There were long legal fights. Even when he died, Northumberland had not gotten back all the lands his grandfather once owned.

Northumberland and his wife, Eleanor Neville, had at least ten children. Henry Percy was succeeded by his son, Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland. This son also died fighting in the Wars of the Roses, at the Battle of Towton in 1461.