Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Norfolk
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Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Earl of Nottingham, from a drawing of his seal, 1389
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| Born | 22 March 1366 Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. |
| Died | 22 September 1399 (aged 33) Venice, Republic of Venice, Italy. |
| Buried | Venice, Italy. |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth le Strange Lady Elizabeth FitzAlan |
| Issue | Thomas de Mowbray, 4th Earl of Norfolk John de Mowbray, 2nd Duke of Norfolk Elizabeth de Mowbray, Countess of Suffolk Isabel de Mowbray, Baroness Berkeley Margaret de Mowbray, Lady Howard |
| Father | John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray |
| Mother | Elizabeth de Segrave |
Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk (born March 22, 1366 – died September 22, 1399) was an important English nobleman. His family was very old and powerful. By the time Thomas grew up, they had a lot of influence in England's government. Thomas himself said he was a direct descendant of King Edward I.
Thomas's father died when he and his older brother were young. His brother, John, died soon after, and Thomas inherited the title of Earl of Nottingham. Thomas was likely friends with King Richard II since they were children. He became one of the King's favorites and gained a lot from this friendship. He traveled with Richard and was chosen for the Order of the Garter, a special group of knights. King Richard's generous gifts to his favorites made him unpopular with Parliament and other nobles. Mowbray also had a big disagreement with the King's uncle, John of Gaunt.
Mowbray went with the King when he invaded Scotland in 1385. However, their friendship might have been weakening. Richard had a new favorite, Robert de Vere. Mowbray became closer to Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, whose daughter Elizabeth he married. The King already didn't trust Arundel. Mowbray's new friends included Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, who also disagreed with the King. Together, they made plans against the King's chief minister, the Duke of Suffolk. Suffolk was removed from his position, and a council was set up to oversee the King.
Mowbray slowly became unhappy with his new friends, maybe because of their harsh actions. By 1389, he was back in the King's favor. Mowbray took part in jousting competitions, led important trips to other countries, and joined Richard's invasion of Ireland in 1395. He successfully talked with the Irish Kings. By this time, the King felt strong enough to act against his enemies. This led to Mowbray killing Gloucester in Calais in 1397, likely on Richard's orders. Soon after, Mowbray was made Duke of Norfolk.
Later, Mowbray had a disagreement with John of Gaunt's oldest son, Henry Bolingbroke. They planned a trial by combat, a fight to settle their dispute. But as soon as it began, the King stopped it. He sent both of them away from England: Mowbray for life, and Bolingbroke for ten years. Mowbray planned to travel to Jerusalem. He reached Venice but died there in September 1399 before he could leave. He had two sons and three daughters with his wife, Elizabeth. His oldest son, Thomas, inherited his father's title but rebelled against the King in 1405. He was executed for this. Mowbray's second son, John, inherited the dukedom and served the King loyally.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
The Mowbrays were a very old and important family in England. They first became nobles in 1295. By the 1300s, they had gained great political power through good marriages and serving the King. Thomas Mowbray was the son of John, Lord Mowbray, and Elizabeth Segrave. Elizabeth was the daughter of John, Lord Segrave, and Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk. Margaret was the daughter of Thomas of Brotherton, who was King Edward I's fifth son. This meant Thomas Mowbray had a royal connection.
Thomas Mowbray was born in 1366. His older brother, John, was supposed to inherit their father's titles. Their father died in 1368. Four years later, the brothers became the responsibility of their great-aunt, Blanche of Lancaster. John was made Earl of Nottingham when King Richard II was crowned in 1377. But John died in early 1383. Almost immediately, Thomas was given the earldom, even though he was still too young to be legally in charge of his own property.
Not much is known about Thomas's early life because he was a second son. However, his family background meant he had a place at the royal court. The King and Mowbray were probably friends since childhood. Thomas became a favorite of the King around 1382. That year, he was given permission to hunt in royal forests and was made a knight. Around this time, John of Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, started to lose the King's favor. Mowbray took his place. In 1383, Thomas married ten-year-old Lady Elizabeth Lestrange, but she died soon after.
Political Situation in England
Richard II became King in 1377 when he was only ten years old. A council of nobles managed the government for him. This government was popular at first. But it faced more and more criticism after a big peasant uprising in 1381. King Richard was criticized for giving too many gifts and favors to a few chosen friends. One historian called his generosity "lavish to the point of foolishness." Parliament also believed the King should spend money carefully. They were unhappy with how much wealth the King gave to a small group of people. The main person receiving these gifts was Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. Also, the Hundred Years' War against France was not going well for England. Many military trips to France in the early years of Richard's reign failed.
Mowbray's Early Career
Mowbray remained a favorite of the King even after his first wife died. He was chosen for the Order of the Garter in October 1383, even though he didn't have much military experience. The King gave him special rooms in royal palaces. As an important person at court, Mowbray went with Richard on his tour of East Anglia in 1383. His closeness to the King made Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt, unhappy. Gaunt was the most powerful man in England after the King. Gaunt accused Mowbray, along with Robert, Earl of Oxford, and William, Earl of Salisbury, of plotting against Richard.
Gaunt himself had fallen out of favor with the King and had left the royal council. In return, Mowbray and his friends planned to kill Gaunt in February 1385. The King held jousting events, and Gaunt's murder was supposed to happen on February 14. It's possible Richard didn't disapprove, as his relationship with his uncle was very bad. Gaunt heard about the plan and escaped on the night of the 14th.
On June 30, 1385, just before the army left for Scotland, Mowbray was given the important job of Marshal of England. He led a group of 99 soldiers and 150 archers, serving with Gaunt in the front of the army. Mowbray helped create the King's rules for the campaign. However, by this time, Mowbray's relationship with Richard was becoming strained.
Less than a year after his first wife's death, Mowbray married Elizabeth Fitzalan. Elizabeth was the daughter of Richard, Earl of Arundel. The King attended their wedding and the week-long celebrations. But the marriage was probably not popular with Richard. This second marriage was a turning point. Richard likely saw Arundel as a bad influence on Mowbray. He feared that Arundel's position against him would become stronger. Mowbray and Elizabeth had also married without the King's permission. So, the King took control of Mowbray's lands until he received payment for the marriage license.
Mowbray had been feeling left out at court by the King's new favorites, like Oxford. He joined a group of nobles who opposed these new favorites. This group included his father-in-law, Arundel, and the King's uncle, Thomas, Duke of Gloucester. In 1386, Elizabeth received her robes as a Lady of the Garter, which showed Mowbray was not completely out of favor.
Both Mowbray and Arundel played a big role in Parliament's attack on Richard's chief minister, Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, in 1386. This Parliament happened during a time when people genuinely feared a French invasion. Arundel was made Admiral of England. In March of the next year, he made Mowbray his deputy. They took a fleet of ships out and quickly met a French-Flemish fleet. They won a huge victory, capturing or destroying between 50 and 100 enemy ships. The King was not impressed. He claimed they had only defeated merchants. But it was a very popular victory with the English people.
The Lords Appellant
For most of the 1380s, Mowbray received many lands, jobs, and gifts from the King. But by 1387, he felt more and more distant from Richard's court. The main reason was probably jealousy of de Vere. Mowbray was wealthy enough not to need royal favors, but he expected the honor and respect that his birth and position demanded. He saw these honors going to his rival.
Parliament had set up a group to limit the King's power, but it didn't work. Richard ignored them and held his own meetings. He also asked his judges for legal advice. The judges, as expected, said that those who had criticized the King in Parliament should be seen as traitors. In response, Mowbray joined Bolingbroke, Gloucester, Arundel, and Warwick. They accused several of the King's friends, including Oxford, of treason. They also gathered an army. This army defeated the King's supporters at the Battle of Radcot Bridge in December. Mowbray did not fight in the battle. He was guarding a road, but he might have sent some of his soldiers.
Mowbray seemed to convince Gloucester, Arundel, and Warwick not to march to London and remove the King from power. He and Bolingbroke might have been a calming influence on the others. Because Mowbray was the Earl Marshal, he helped the group make their actions seem legal, rather than just a rebellion. Mowbray was among the nobles who went to the Tower of London on December 30, 1387. They accused the King of being disloyal to them. They also demanded that Richard arrest his friends. The King only agreed when they threatened to remove him from the throne.
With the King under their control, Mowbray and the other nobles called a Parliament for early 1388. This Parliament became known as the "Merciless Parliament" because of how harshly it punished the King's closest supporters. Mowbray oversaw some of the executions.
Returning to the King's Favor
There were signs that Mowbray was becoming unhappy with his friends during this Parliament. One historian suggests this was because Mowbray was "never as committed to the destruction of the court faction as Gloucester, Arundel, and Warwick." Another historian suggests that including Mowbray helped the group gain more support from other nobles. But it also weakened them because their disagreements were not as strong. Mowbray also had a dispute with Warwick over some land.
One historian believes that Mowbray could accept the punishment of others. But the real problem came when they decided the fate of Sir Simon Burley. Gloucester and Warwick accused Burley of having too much influence over Richard. Burley had been the King's teacher, and Richard wanted to save him. Mowbray and Bolingbroke agreed, but it didn't help. In May 1388, Burley was executed.
Mowbray became loyal to the King again. In early 1389, his lands were returned to him. He was also forgiven for marrying without the King's permission. In March, he was made warden of the East March (a border area with Scotland) and commander of Berwick Castle. He received a good salary for this. But his appointment was not a success. He upset Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who was the traditional lord of the north. Mowbray didn't own land in the north and didn't know many local nobles, whom he needed to raise an army. Mowbray's time in the East March was difficult from the start. In June that year, a Scottish attack damaged northern England. Mowbray refused the Scottish offer of a battle and retreated to Berwick Castle.
The King regained full control of the government around May 1389. Mowbray attended a royal council meeting in September, showing how far apart he was from his former friends. In 1391, Mowbray exchanged jobs with Henry Percy. Percy returned to the Scottish border, and Mowbray went to France.
Military Service
Because Mowbray returned to the King's side, he did more royal service. In April 1390, he took part in a jousting competition near Boulogne, France. He proved himself a champion against the French knights. Mowbray led a group of up to 60 English knights. The next month, another joust was held outside London. Mowbray's presence with the King showed Richard's plan to make peace with the former rebels and increase his own power. Here, before the King, Mowbray defeated John Dunbar, Earl of Moray. One writer said Dunbar later died from his wounds.
Mowbray joined the King on his trip to Ireland in 1394. Richard's plan was to settle English nobles across the country to make the Gaelic kings surrender. Mowbray took control of Carlow and was given its lordship. Mowbray led several attacks against the King of Leinster, Art Macmurrough. A royal letter reported that Mowbray "had several fine encounters with the Irish." Mowbray burned nine villages, killed many people, and captured about 8,000 cattle. Once, he almost captured MacMurrough and his wife in their beds. MacMurrough's escape made Mowbray "very annoyed." In revenge, he destroyed the house and 14 nearby villages. He then marched through the mountains, where "no Englishman has commonly entered before." He captured some enemies. Their leader was executed, and his head was sent to Richard.
Mowbray eventually got MacMurrough to agree to surrender to Richard. During these talks, Mowbray had full power as if he were the King. He convinced Macmurrough to leave Leinster for the English. His sub-chiefs followed. However, neither Macmurrough nor his armies actually left Leinster. Mowbray could not force them. His attempts to establish English rule in the area failed. He returned to England in May 1395.
Royal Service and Rise to Duke
When he returned, Mowbray immediately became involved in talks about Richard's planned marriage to Isabella, the daughter of the French King. Mowbray made many trips to France. He finally finished the talks in March 1396. The engagement was made official in September, and Mowbray escorted the French King to Calais. Richard also asked Mowbray to have secret talks with the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Berry. One historian suggests that the King "had considerable faith in Mowbray's diplomatic ability." In May of the next year, Mowbray represented England at a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany. This meeting was called to end a split in the church by making two popes resign. Richard's trust in Mowbray was shown by the many gifts the Earl received during this time.
In 1397, Mowbray received the lordship of Gower, a piece of land that his family and Warwick's family had been fighting over for almost a century. This was very bad for Warwick. It was his richest land, and he was ordered to pay Mowbray the money he had earned from it since 1361. The mood at court was tense. Richard may have felt threatened by the former rebels. In early July, the King decided to deal with them. He invited Arundel, Gloucester, and Warwick to a feast where they would be arrested. Only Warwick attended. Arundel and Gloucester were arrested later. They were tried and found guilty of treason in September. Warwick lost his titles and lands and was sentenced to prison for life. Arundel was executed. Mowbray, as Earl Marshal, oversaw Arundel's execution. Gloucester was sent away to Calais. It was probably Mowbray's attempt to save Simon Burley's life years before that saved Mowbray's life in 1397.
The Death of Gloucester and Mowbray's New Title
Gloucester had been secretly arrested on the night of July 10-11, 1397, and sent to Calais. Many people believed that the King personally ordered Gloucester's death. Later, in the 1399 Parliament, it was said that Mowbray was likely involved because he was the Captain of Calais. Rumors of Gloucester's death had been spreading since August. One historian thinks that Richard might have ordered Mowbray to kill the Duke then, but Mowbray waited several weeks. Richard sent a judge to Calais with Mowbray. Mowbray's instructions were for the judge to get a clear confession from Gloucester. Gloucester made his confession on September 8. The next day, when the judge asked to meet with Gloucester again, Mowbray refused. A few days later, Parliament asked Mowbray to bring Gloucester back to England for trial. Mowbray replied that he could not because the Duke was dead. He said, "I held this duke in my custody in the lord king's prison in the town of Calais, and there, in that same prison, he died." Historians generally agree that by this point, Richard must have known that Gloucester was already dead.
On September 29, 1397, Mowbray received a royal pardon for his actions as a former rebel. This was part of Richard's plan to create new dukes. Mowbray was given the title of Duke of Norfolk. One historian suggested that Mowbray's new title made other noble titles seem less special. Another historian argued that Mowbray had enough family history and wealth to deserve such a high honor. To celebrate their return to the King's favor, Bolingbroke and Mowbray held a special church service and feast. The King and Queen attended. This was supposedly to celebrate the return of Mowbray's father's bones from the Holy Land for reburial. John Mowbray had a good reputation, and this event was meant to increase Thomas Mowbray's political standing.
Disagreement with Bolingbroke
By late 1397, Richard was planning another trip to Ireland. Around the same time, Mowbray had a big disagreement with Bolingbroke, who was now the Duke of Hereford. This argument greatly disrupted the King's plans. One historian said it was the event that "brought the royal house of cards come tumbling down." The reasons for their dispute are not clear today. But it seems it was more about disagreements over royal policy than personal issues.
According to Bolingbroke, he met Mowbray on the road to Parliament. Mowbray supposedly told him that the King was planning to arrest them both. He said the royal pardons they had received were worthless. Bolingbroke said he protested that the King would not break his promise. Mowbray supposedly reminded him that Warwick, Arundel, and Gloucester had also had pardons. Mowbray apparently urged Bolingbroke to turn against other nobles who were close to the King. Mowbray claimed the King could not be trusted. Mowbray was probably more worried about his safety than Bolingbroke, because Bolingbroke had the support of his powerful father, John of Gaunt.
The King heard about their conversation. He made Bolingbroke repeat Mowbray's "dishonest and slanderous words" in Parliament. On January 3, 1398, Bolingbroke presented his accusation to the King. Mowbray was very angry and denied everything. Parliament could not decide who was right. So, Richard set up a committee to solve it. Mowbray believed Bolingbroke was acting on his father's orders. Mowbray tried to ambush Gaunt in early 1398, but Gaunt escaped. Mowbray then panicked and ran away. So, only Bolingbroke's side of the story is known.
The King reacted immediately. Mowbray lost his job as Earl Marshal, and an order was sent out for his arrest. Mowbray appeared before Richard in January 1398. He and Bolingbroke were imprisoned in Windsor Castle. Bolingbroke was quickly released by his father, but Mowbray remained in prison. Because there was no clear evidence for either side, Richard decided the dispute could only be settled by a trial by combat. Both men refused to make peace. The fight was set for September 16, 1398, in Coventry. Both men were skilled fighters.
At this point, the King stepped in and stopped the fight. One writer said this was because he saw Mowbray was about to lose. The official record says Richard didn't want two of his subjects to hurt each other in the name of his justice. Another writer said the fight had barely begun when the King stopped it. One scholar suggests the King saw a chance to get rid of two former rebels while appearing fair.
Exile and Death
Instead of fighting, the two men were sent away from England. Mowbray was exiled for life, and Bolingbroke for 10 years. The longer sentence for Mowbray was supposedly because he had not strongly enough rejected the former rebels. He was also accused of mismanaging Calais and plotting against John of Gaunt. Mowbray was given a choice by Richard: he could go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Germany, Bohemia, or Hungary. This allowed Mowbray to keep his honor. He was forbidden from talking to Bolingbroke during his exile. This sentence could not be changed. He would receive £1000 per year from his lands while he was away. His job as Earl Marshal was given to someone else. His son was placed in the Queen's household as a page. Mowbray also set up a council to advise his young son, Thomas, while he was away.
Mowbray sailed from Lowestoft to Dordrecht on September 19, 1398. Over a thousand people came to see him off. He was with about 30 people, including servants.
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Mowbray's grandmother, Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk, died in March 1399. Mowbray would not inherit her large estates. Even though he had been given permission to claim any new inheritance, this was canceled the same day Richard announced he would take Bolingbroke's family lands. One scholar called this act either "malice or great folly."
In Venice, Mowbray arranged to buy a ship. He was recorded in official documents as "Magnificent Lord the Duke of Gilforth." It's not clear why he used this title.
Mowbray died of the plague in Venice on September 22, 1399. He was buried in St Mark's Cathedral with an unusual tombstone. The images on it include the royal arms of England, his family's lion symbol, Richard II's White Hart, and Henry IV's White Swan. If he had died closer to home, he would probably have been buried in his family's tomb.
Legacy
One historian has argued that Mowbray's fight with Bolingbroke directly led to Bolingbroke taking Richard's throne. Bolingbroke returned to England in early July 1399. He claimed he only came back to get his family lands. But with Richard in Ireland and no one stopping him, he marched south and claimed the throne on September 30. Soon after, on October 6, 1399, Parliament canceled Mowbray's title of Duke of Norfolk. However, his son kept his other titles. Mowbray's family was given £1000 to carry out his will, pay his debts, and bury him in Venice. In 1532, Mowbray's descendant asked for Mowbray's bones to be returned from Venice. He wanted them to be reburied with his ducal descendants.
Personality
Mowbray founded a monastery in 1395 or 1396. He had been asking the Pope for permission since at least 1389. He gave the monastery wine every year and other smaller gifts.
Writers from Mowbray's time often criticized him. However, these writers were writing after Bolingbroke took the throne. One historian has described Mowbray as being "driven by ambition and lust for power" and changing his mind often. Another historian called him "an erratic and insecure man." But another said that while Mowbray might have been "impetuous and mercurial," he also had principles.
Family and Children
Mowbray first married Elizabeth le Strange in 1383. She was the Lady Strange of Blackmere. She died in 1383, and they had no children.
Mowbray's second wife was Lady Elizabeth FitzAlan (born around 1372 – died July 8, 1425). She was the daughter of Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel. With Elizabeth, Mowbray had two sons and three daughters.
Mowbray's oldest son, also named Thomas, inherited the earldom of Nottingham. But he rebelled against Henry IV in 1405 and was executed at age 19.
Mowbray's second son, John, inherited his father's earldoms. John married Katherine Neville in 1412. For his loyal service to Henry V, John was given back the dukedom of Norfolk in 1425.
Mowbray's oldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Michael de la Pole, 3rd Earl of Suffolk by 1403. Michael was described as "as strong, as active and as daring as any member of the court" of Henry V. He died at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
Margaret, the second daughter, married twice. Her first husband was Sir Robert Howard. They had a son named John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. Her second marriage was to Sir John Grey. She died in 1459.
The youngest daughter, Isabel, also married twice. Her first husband was Sir Henry Ferrers. Henry died in 1425. She married James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley second.
Lands and Wealth
The lands Mowbray inherited were large. They were mainly in East Anglia, and also in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. These included important areas like Melton Mowbray. His mother's inheritance added more lands in other counties. His second wife, Elizabeth, whose father was one of the richest men in the country, brought him even more lands. His income from land was about £1,475 per year. This was a good amount, but it didn't make him one of the richest earls. However, this figure doesn't include the gifts of valuables or jobs and lands he received from the King.
When his grandmother, Countess Margaret, died, he expected to gain another major power base in East Anglia, especially around Framlingham Castle. There was also a lot of land across Yorkshire. Combined with her lands in other English counties, these were worth about another £3000 annually. One historian has estimated his total annual income at around £2,000.
In Plays and Stories
Older Plays
Thomas Mowbray's argument with Bolingbroke and his banishment are shown in the first scene of Shakespeare's play Richard II. In the play, Mowbray is accused of Gloucester's death and of stealing money meant for soldiers. The King says he will listen to both sides. Mowbray says he can't speak freely because of the King's family ties to Bolingbroke. Mowbray's fears are not true. Richard says Bolingbroke's accusations are based on "ancient malice." Mowbray is pushed into challenging Bolingbroke to a fight. Mowbray understands he is a pawn in the King's plans. He tells Richard that lions can tame leopards, but they "not change his spots." Bolingbroke's accusations are very serious, including stealing money, Gloucester's death, and treason.
Mowbray's death in exile is announced later in the play. Mowbray is also mentioned in Henry IV, Part II. In that scene, set around 1405, Mowbray is shown as a great warrior from an older generation. He is the last Englishman to have died on a crusade in Shakespeare's plays. When Shakespeare was writing, removing a king from power was a sensitive topic. Like Richard, Elizabeth I had no children and was worried about threats from her nobles. Shakespeare uses Mowbray and Bolingbroke's exile to represent the exile of Catholics during Elizabeth's reign.
Mowbray also appears in a book called A Mirror for Magistrates from the mid-1500s. He is described as the main person involved in Gloucester's death. This is because the authors believed Mowbray revealed Gloucester's plot against the King, which led to Gloucester's fate. They also suggest that Mowbray was perhaps the least committed of the rebels in 1386. Mowbray is also the subject of a poem by Thomas Deloney. Deloney blames Mowbray for the King's troubles.
Modern Plays
Mowbray has been an important role in most adaptations of Shakespeare's Richard II. In 1960, Noel Johnson played him in a BBC TV series. Ian McKellen played the King in a play in 1960, with Stephen Greif as Mowbray. Greif's Mowbray was last seen visiting Gloucester with guards, carrying a mattress, hinting at the rumor that Gloucester was suffocated. In 1973, Denis Holmes played Mowbray in a Stratford-upon-Avon production. Mowbray and Bolingbroke fought each other on large hobby horses.
In 1978, Richard Owens played Mowbray in the BBC's BBC Television Shakespeare series. The director focused on the unclear relationship between the King and Mowbray. Mowbray had been his friend and loyal servant, but the King could not fully trust him again.
Michael Cronin played Mowbray in a play between 1987 and 1988. Richard Moore played Mowbray as an artisan-type, not a military man. He wore bright green clothes and had a clumsy walk. David Lyon played Mowbray in a 1995 production. This production was notable for casting Fiona Shaw as King Richard. Lyon played Mowbray again when the production was adapted for television two years later.
In 2000, Paul Greenwood played Mowbray as "quietly intense, harshly whispering." James Purefoy played Mowbray in the BBC2 series The Hollow Crown in 2012. The next year, Antony Byrne played Mowbray in an RSC production with David Tennant as the King.
Mowbray's supposed killing of Gloucester happens before Shakespeare's play begins. Mowbray does not appear in the play named after his victim, Thomas of Woodstock.
