Thomas Clifford, 6th Baron Clifford facts for kids
Thomas de Clifford, 6th Baron de Clifford (born around 1363 – died 1391) was an important knight in England. He was also known as the 6th Lord of Skipton. Thomas held several big jobs, like being the Sheriff of Westmorland (a hereditary role passed down in his family), the Governor of Carlisle Castle, and a Warden of the West Marches, which meant he protected the border with Scotland.
Life as a Knight
Thomas was the son of Roger de Clifford, who was the 5th Baron de Clifford. When his father passed away in 1380, Thomas took over his family's lands and titles.
In 1384, King Richard II made Thomas a knight of his personal chamber. Thomas was known for his bravery and skill in combat. In 1386, he even sent a challenge to a French knight for a friendly tournament. He traveled across the sea to take part in this event.
The king trusted Thomas a lot. In 1387, the king gave him special permission to practice his fighting skills on the Scottish borders.
Thomas also had important roles in protecting the country. In 1384, he was given control of Carlisle Castle for his whole life, sharing the job with another knight, John Neville. In 1386, he became a warden of the west border, helping to keep the peace. By 1388, he was even in charge of the king's horses, a very important position!
He was called to join the English Parliament starting in 1389. From 1389 until his death in 1391, he was the hereditary High Sheriff of Westmorland. This meant he was the chief law enforcement officer in that area.
In 1391, Thomas was in the Baltic region. There was an unfortunate incident involving Sir William Douglas, an illegitimate son of the Earl of Douglas, which sadly led to Douglas's death. Thomas felt very sad about what happened. Because of his deep regret, he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He died in 1391 on an island in the Mediterranean Sea during his journey.
Family Connections
Before 1379, Thomas de Clifford married Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Thomas de Ros, 4th Baron de Ros. Elizabeth passed away in March 1424.
Thomas and Elizabeth had children together. Their eldest son, John Clifford, became the 7th Baron de Clifford after his father's death.
Thomas de Clifford was often called "King's kinsman" in official papers. This shows that he was related to the royal family, which was a sign of his high status.
His Children
- John Clifford, 7th Baron de Clifford: He married Lady Elizabeth Percy. She was the daughter of Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.
- Maud Clifford: She married two times. First, to John Neville, 6th Baron Latimer. Later, she married Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge.
Sources
| Peerage of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Roger de Clifford |
Baron de Clifford 1389–1391 |
Succeeded by John Clifford |
