Thomas Grey (conspirator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Grey
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Portchester Castle, where the Southampton plot was revealed to King Henry V
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| Born | 30 November 1384 Alnwick Castle, Northumberland |
| Died | 2 August 1415 (aged 30) Southampton, Hampshire |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Neville |
| Issue | Sir Thomas Grey Sir Ralph Grey Sir John Grey William Grey daughter whose first name is unknown Joan Grey Elizabeth Grey Margaret Grey |
| Father | Sir Thomas Grey |
| Mother | Joan Mowbray |
Sir Thomas Grey (born November 30, 1384 – died August 2, 1415) was an important figure from Heaton Castle in Northumberland, England. He was one of three people involved in a secret plan against King Henry V in 1415. This plan, known as the Southampton Plot, failed, and Sir Thomas Grey was executed for his part in it.
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Sir Thomas Grey's Family Background
Sir Thomas Grey was born on November 30, 1384, at Alnwick Castle. This castle was a very important place for the Percy family, who were powerful Earls of Northumberland. His family had been well-known and important in the border areas of Northumberland for a long time.
He was the oldest son of Sir Thomas Grey (who lived from 1359 to 1400) and Joan Mowbray (who died in 1410). His mother, Joan, was the sister of Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk. Through his mother's family, Sir Thomas Grey was related to King Edward I.
Sir Thomas Grey had three brothers and one sister:
- John Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville (died 1421), who married Joan de Cherleton.
- Sir Henry Grey, who lived in Ketteringham, Norfolk.
- William Grey, who became a Bishop.
- Matilda Grey (1382 – 1451), who married Sir Robert Ogle.
A Life in Service
Sir Thomas Grey's father, also named Sir Thomas Grey, was a trusted friend of Henry Bolingbroke. Henry Bolingbroke later became King Henry IV. Grey's father was present when King Richard II gave up his crown in 1399.
When his father died in 1400, Sir Thomas Grey was only 16 years old. Even though he was young, King Henry IV showed him great kindness. He was allowed to manage his family's lands even before he was officially old enough. By 1408, he was working for Henry, Prince of Wales, who would later become King Henry V.
In 1412, Sir Thomas Grey arranged for his young son, Thomas, to marry Isabel. She was only three years old and the daughter of Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge. This marriage happened in 1413. As part of the marriage deal, Grey bought some land called Wark-in-Tyndale.
The Southampton Plot
Sir Thomas Grey, along with Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge, and Henry Scrope, 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham, were the main leaders of a secret plan in 1415. This plan was called the Southampton Plot. Their goal was to kill King Henry V in Southampton before he sailed to France for a war. They also wanted to replace him with Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March.
However, on July 31, 1415, Edmund Mortimer told the King about the plot. This happened at Portchester Castle, which you can see in the picture. The people involved in the plot were quickly arrested. Sir Thomas Grey was executed on August 2, 1415, in Southampton.
The story of the Southampton Plot is shown in Shakespeare's famous play, Henry V.
Sir Thomas Grey's Family
Sir Thomas Grey married Lady Alice Neville before 1408. Alice was the daughter of Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland. Sir Thomas and Alice had four sons and four or five daughters:
- Sir Thomas Grey (born 1404), who married Isabel. They had one son.
- Sir Ralph Grey (died 1442), who married Elizabeth FitzHugh. They had children.
- Sir John Grey.
- William Grey (died 1478), who became a Bishop.
- Eleanor, who married Sir John Arundel.
- Joan Grey, who married Sir John Salvin.
- Elizabeth Grey, who married Sir William Whitchester and then Sir Roger Widdrington.
- Margaret Grey, who married Gerard Widdrington.
After Sir Thomas Grey died, his wife Alice married Sir Gilbert Lancaster. Alice was still alive in 1453.
Images for kids
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Portchester Castle, where the Southampton plot was revealed to King Henry V
