Thomas de Rokeby facts for kids

Sir Thomas de Rokeby was an important English soldier and leader who lived in the 1400s. He was known as a Knight of the Shire, which meant he was chosen to represent his area in the English Parliament. He also held the important job of High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

Early Life and Family

Sir Thomas de Rokeby came from a well-known family in northern England. Their family home was called Mortham, and it was located right by the River Tees.

Interestingly, there was another important person named Thomas de Rokeby who lived before him and died in 1356. This earlier Thomas de Rokeby had a very high position as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This means he was the main leader for the King in Ireland. The Sir Thomas we are learning about was likely related to this earlier leader, perhaps his great-grandnephew.

Serving as a Sheriff

Sir Thomas de Rokeby held the title of High Sheriff in two different parts of England.

High Sheriff of Northumberland

In 1405, he worked for a short time as the High Sheriff of Northumberland. A High Sheriff was like a chief law enforcement officer and a representative of the King in a specific county. They were in charge of keeping the peace, collecting taxes, and making sure the King's laws were followed.

High Sheriff of Yorkshire

The next year, in 1406, Sir Thomas was chosen to be a Knight of the Shire for Yorkshire. This meant he went to the English Parliament to speak for the people of Yorkshire. He then became the High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1407 and again in 1411.

Stopping a Rebellion

During his first time as High Sheriff of Yorkshire, a powerful nobleman named Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland started a rebellion against the King, Henry IV of England. Sir Thomas de Rokeby quickly gathered local fighters and stopped Percy's army near Knaresborough.

The two sides met again in a big fight known as the Battle of Bramham Moor. Sir Thomas de Rokeby and his forces won this battle, and Earl Percy was killed. The King was very thankful for Sir Thomas's loyalty and victory. As a reward, the King gave him the manor of Spofforth, which had belonged to the Percy family. A manor was a large estate with land and buildings.

Fighting for the King in France

Sir Thomas de Rokeby continued to serve his country as a soldier.

The Battle of Agincourt

He joined the army of Henry V of England and fought in France during the Hundred Years' War. One of the most famous battles he was part of was the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. This was a huge victory for the English army against a much larger French force.

Siege of Rouen and Triumph in Paris

Sir Thomas was also present during most of the Siege of Rouen (1418–1419). A siege is when an army surrounds a city or castle to try and capture it. After many months, the English captured Rouen. In 1420, Sir Thomas marched triumphantly through Paris with the victorious English army.

Later Life and Family

Sir Thomas de Rokeby was elected as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire again in 1423. He married a daughter of Sir Ralph Eure and had children.