Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry de Lacy
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| Earl of Lincoln Baron of Pontefract |
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Arms of Henry de Lacy: Or, a lion rampant purpure
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| Predecessor | Margaret de Quincy, Countess of Lincoln |
| Successor | Alice de Lacy, 4th Countess of Lincoln |
| Born | 1251 |
| Died | February 1311 (aged around 54) Lincoln's Inn, London, England |
| Buried | St Paul's Cathedral |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Longespée Joan Fitz Martin |
| Issue | Alice de Lacy |
| Father | Edmund de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract |
| Mother | Alésia of Saluzzo |
Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (born around 1251, died February 1311), was an important English nobleman. He was a close friend and advisor to King Edward I. Henry served the king in many ways, including as a soldier and a diplomat. He traveled to Wales, France, and Scotland for the king.
Early Life and Family
Henry was the son of Edmund de Lacy. His grandfather was John de Lacy, and his grandmother was Margaret de Quincy. Margaret was a countess in her own right. Henry's mother was Alice of Saluzzo, who came from a noble family in Savoy.
Becoming an Earl
Henry's father died in 1258 when Henry was only about seven years old. Because he was so young, he became a "ward" of the king. This meant the king's court looked after him and his lands until he was old enough. His mother and grandmother helped to arrange this.
When his grandmother, Margaret de Quincy, died in 1266, Henry inherited her lands and titles. He was still only 15. He had already inherited titles like Baron of Pontefract and Baron of Halton from his father. In 1272, when Henry turned 21, he officially became the Earl of Lincoln. He was also made a knight.
Serving the King
Henry de Lacy became a chief advisor to King Edward I. When the king was away fighting in Scotland, Henry was chosen to protect the kingdom.
He played a big part in Edward I's conquest of Wales in 1282. For his service, Henry was given the Lordship of Denbigh. He then built Denbigh Castle there.
In 1296, Henry went to France with the king's younger brother, Edmund. When Edmund died, Henry took over as the commander of the English forces in Gascony. He returned to England in 1298.
Henry also fought in Scotland. He was at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and the Siege of Carlaverock Castle in 1300. His coat of arms, which was a purple lion on a gold background, was noted in a special record called the "Roll of Carlaverock." In 1300, he was sent to Rome to talk to the Pope about problems with the Scots.
Henry was with King Edward I when the king died in July 1307. For a short time, Henry was friendly with the new king, Edward II, and his favorite, Piers Gaveston. However, Henry soon changed his mind. He joined a group of powerful nobles, led by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, who wanted to limit the king's power. Henry was one of the "Ordainers," a group appointed in 1311 to make rules for the kingdom. He also served as Regent when King Edward II was in Scotland.
Family Life
Henry de Lacy was married twice.
- His first wife was Margaret Longespée. They had a daughter named Alice de Lacy. Alice later married Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Henry and Margaret also had two sons, Edmund and John, but they both died young. Edmund drowned in a well at Denbigh Castle, and John fell from a castle wall at Pontefract.
- His second wife was Joan FitzMartin. They did not have any children.
Death
Henry de Lacy died in February 1311 at his home in London, called Lincoln's Inn. He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral. Sadly, his grave and monument were destroyed when the cathedral burned down in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Today, a modern monument in the cathedral's crypt lists his name among those important people whose graves were lost.
