Henry PERCY

(4th E. Northumberland)

Born: ABT 1449, Leconfield, Yorkshire, England

Died: 28 Apr 1489, Cock Lodge, near Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England

Buried: Beverley Minster, Beverley, Yorkshire, England

Notes: Knight of the Garter.

Father: Henry PERCY (3º E. Northumberland)

Mother: Eleanor POYNINGS (B. Poynings)

Married: Maud HERBERT (C. Northumberland) ABT 1473/1476

Children:

1. Eleanor PERCY (D. Buckingham)

2. Henry Algernon PERCY (5º E. Northumberland)

3. William PERCY (Sir Knight)

4. Allan PERCY (b. 1479)

5. Josceline PERCY

6. Arundel PERCY (b. 1483 - d. 1544)

7. Anne PERCY (C. Arundel)

8. Elizabeth PERCY

Son of Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland, by his wife, Eleanor Poynings; was the only one of the family to appear to take the Yorkist side. His father's earldom was forfeited at the Battle of Towton by the victorious Yorkists, and Percy was imprisoned in the Fleet Prison and then the Tower from 1464 when John Neville was created Earl of Northumberland. After swearing fealty to Edward IV he was released in 1469 and petitioned for the reversal of his father's attainder though this was not granted by Parliament until 1473. Percy held many of the important government posts in the north of England which were traditional in his family.

Fought in the Battle of Bosworth, where he commanded the right wing of Richard III's army. Some historians says that he betrayed the King by holding his forces back from action.

Henry VII's treatment of the Earl of Northumberland after the battle certainly does not suggest any special favors or gratitude: Northumberland, along with the earls of Westmoreland and Surrey, was taken into custody and kept in prison for several months, being released only under strict conditions of good behavior. Although he was soon released and confirmed in all his titles and lands by the new King.

On 28 Apr 1489 he was killed at one of his Yorkshire residences by a mob protesting over high taxes for the defence of Brittany against France, part of a rioting led by Sir John Egremont. Another reason for the mob's actions was his part in the downfall and death of Richard III who remained popular in Yorkshire. The rebellion was surpressed by the Earl of Surrey.

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