The Skaggs-Files

1st Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy of Alnwick

Percy, Henry, 1st Earl of Northumberland (1342-1408), English nobleman, first in the line of famous English dukes and earls. Sir Henry Percy traced his descent from Sir William de Percy, an 11th-century Norman baron who traveled to England with William I (called the Conqueror) in 1066. Percy was created marshal of England and 1st Earl of Northumberland in 1377. He initially supported the reign of King Richard II of England, but he later became dissatisfied with the way the new king treated him. In 1403 the earl and his son Sir Henry Percy (known as Hotspur) played a leading role in bringing about Richard’s deposition and the subsequent accession of Henry IV. This revolt cost the earl his offices and lands, but these were restored after Hotspur's death at Shrewsbury in 1403. In 1405 the earl took part in the conspiracy, led by Welsh leader Owen Glendower, to depose Henry IV, and was declared a traitor. He was slain at Bramham Moor in 1408 while invading England.

© 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Henry Percy (November 10,1342 - February 20,1408), 1st earl of Northumberland, was the son of Henry, 3rd baron Percy, and the father of Henry " Harry Hotspur" Percy. His mother was Mary of Lancaster, daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, son Edmund Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III of England.

Originally a follower of Edward III of England, for whom he held high offices in the administration of northern England, Henry Percy went on to support King Richard II. He was given the title of Marshal of England and created an earl at Richard's coronation (1377), but he switched to the side of Henry Bolingbroke (later, Henry IV) after Richard created his chief rival, Ralph Neville, 1st earl of Westmorland in 1399. On Henry's coronation he was appointed Constable of England and granted the lordship of the Isle of Man. In 1403 Percy turned against Henry IV in favor of Edmund Mortimer, 5th earl of March, and then conspired with Owen Glendower against King Henry. This rebellion failed at the Battle of Shrewsbury but, since Percy did not directly participate, he lost his office as Constable but was not convicted of treason. But in 1405 Percy supported Richard le Scrope, archbishop of York, in another rebellion, and then Percy fled to Scotland, and his estates were confiscated by the king. In 1408 Percy invaded England and was killed at the Battle of Branham Moor.