Henry Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Masham facts for kids

Henry le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Masham (born around 1312 – died July 31, 1392) was an important English soldier and government official. He lived during a time when England was often at war, especially with France and Scotland. Henry Scrope was known for his bravery in battles and for serving the king in many important jobs.

Henry Scrope's Life and Career

Henry Scrope was the oldest son of Geoffrey le Scrope and his mother, Ivetta. When his father passed away in 1341, Henry took over his family's position.

Early Military Service

When he was young, Henry Scrope joined the army. In 1333, he fought in a war against Scotland. He was made a knight at Berwick after fighting bravely at the Battle of Halidon Hill. He went back to fight in Scotland in 1335.

In 1340, Henry Scrope took part in a big sea battle called the Battle of Sluys. This battle happened at the very beginning of the Hundred Years War between England and France. He also served in Brittany in 1342, helping with the sieges (when an army surrounds a town) of Vannes and Morlaix.

Fighting in Major Battles

Henry Scrope was in Flanders in 1345. The next year, in 1346, he fought as a "banneret" (a knight who could lead his own group of soldiers under his own banner) in two very important battles: the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Nevilles Cross. In 1347, he was part of the siege of Calais. In 1350, he fought in another sea battle near Winchelsea.

Serving the King

In November 1350, Henry Scrope was called to join the House of Lords. This meant he became a Lord, known as Lord Scrope, and later Lord Scrope of Masham. In 1354, he was chosen as one of the ambassadors (representatives) sent to Pope Innocent VI. Their job was to try and make peace between England and France.

Henry Scrope continued to serve King Edward III. In 1355, he was in Picardy, France. In 1357, he helped with the siege of Berwick again. That same year, he was part of a group that talked with the Scots. They were trying to arrange for the release of David II, the King of Scots, and to agree on a truce (a temporary stop to fighting).

In 1359, he served under John of Gaunt, a powerful English prince, during a long military raid called a chevauchée towards Rheims. From 1361 to 1370, he was the Warden of Calais and Guînes. This was a very important job, as Calais was a key English town in France. In 1369, he again served under John of Gaunt in France. In 1371, he was the warden of the western border with Scotland for a year. He also held the important position of steward of the king's household, which meant he managed the king's home and staff.

Henry Scrope passed away on July 31, 1392.

Henry Scrope's Family

Henry Scrope was married two times. His first wife was named Agnes, and his second wife was named Joan. With Joan, he had five sons:

• Geoffrey, who sadly died while on a religious military journey (a crusade) in Prussia in 1362.
• William, who fought against the Turks in Satalia in 1361 and also died while traveling in the East.
• Stephen, who also went on a crusade and later became the next Baron Scrope of Masham after his father. He was known as Stephen Scrope, 2nd Baron Scrope of Masham.
• Richard, who became a very important church leader, the Archbishop of York.
• John

Henry Scrope also had two daughters:

• Joan, who married Hugh FitzHugh, 2nd Baron FitzHugh. They had a son named Henry FitzHugh, 3rd Baron FitzHugh.
• Isabel, who married Sir Robert Plumpton (1341–1407).