Henry Spring facts for kids

Sir Henry le Spring (who passed away before the year 1311) was an important English knight and a big landowner in the northern part of England. He was sometimes called Lord Henry Spring.

Sir Henry le Spring's Life

Sir Henry le Spring came from the important Anglo-Norman Le Spring family. This family owned many large areas of land, called estates, in places like the County Palatine of Durham and Northumberland. His father was also a knight named Sir Henry le Spring.

Young Henry started his journey as a squire, which was like an apprentice for a knight. He served Sir John Coilet of Barmelston. Henry le Spring became a knight himself after fighting in a big battle called the Battle of Lewes in 1264. He fought for King Henry III during this battle.

Becoming Lord of Houghton

After the battle, Henry le Spring was given the important title of Lord of the Manor of Houghton. This area is near what we now call the City of Sunderland. Robert Fitzgerald, who was the Lord of Raby, granted him this land.

The Spring family had owned land around Houghton since shortly after the Norman Conquest. Because of their long history there, the town eventually became known as Houghton-le-Spring. Sir Henry also served as a Knight of the Shire for the Northumberland area at least once. This meant he represented the people of Northumberland in important meetings, similar to a Member of Parliament today.

His Family

Sir Henry Spring married a woman named Albreda. She was the daughter and heiress of Robert Bernard. Henry and Albreda had children, including a son named Sir John Spring and a daughter named Mary. Mary married Sir Roland de Bellasise, who had also fought alongside Sir Henry at the Battle of Lewes. Records show that Sir Henry's wife, Albreda, was a widow by the year 1311.

Burial Place

Sir Henry le Spring is buried in the Church of St Michael and All Angels in Houghton-le-Spring. You can find an impressive statue, called an effigy, of him there, placed next to his son-in-law.