Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland
Henry Algernon Percy entered the world on the 13th of January 1477. He was the son of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, and Maud Herbert. His mother was the daughter of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke. The young nobleman grew up within the walls of King Henry VII's court. This environment shaped his early years before he inherited a title. On the 28th of April 1489, he succeeded his father as the 5th Earl of Northumberland. Just months prior, on the 21st of November 1489, he received the honor of being made a Knight of the Bath. This ceremony coincided with Prince Arthur becoming Prince of Wales. By 1495, he had earned the prestigious rank of Knight of the Garter.
The year 1497 brought conflict to the English countryside when Cornish rebels rose against royal taxes. Henry Algernon Percy joined the royal army to suppress this uprising. He fought at the Battle of Blackheath on the 14th of May 1498. Later that same month, he took formal control of his lands and castles. His military career expanded significantly in the following decades. In June 1503, he became Warden of the East Marches toward Scotland. One of his first duties involved escorting Princess Margaret to Scotland for her marriage to King James IV. His splendid dress and large retinue reportedly pleased the princess during this journey. Decades later, in 1513, he served as a grand captain in war against France. He commanded light cavalry units known as showrers and forridors at the Battle of the Spurs. He also led raids into Scotland in 1523 and 1524 while maintaining border security.
A manuscript compiled around 1512 reveals the scale of his spending habits. The Northumberland Household Book records an annual income of about £2,300 per annum. This figure likely excludes gifts received from various sources. Yet he spent no less than £1,500 annually just on servants and followers. The remainder had to cover journeys to court and maintain an extraordinarily magnificent lifestyle. These expenses quickly drove him into debt. The book details residences at Leconfield and Wressle in Yorkshire. It lists numerous servants of various kinds employed by the earl. Such detailed household records were rare for non-royal families during that era. Despite his wealth, the cost of maintaining such a vast establishment strained his estate significantly.
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey rose to power and demanded submission from great nobles like Percy. In 1516, the Earl found himself cast into the Fleet Prison. The charge involved interfering with the king's prerogative concerning wardships. He had disposed of the wardship and marriage of Elizabeth Hastings without royal licence. A fine of £10,000 was levied against him for this action. He managed to pay half the sum before Henry VIII became king in 1509. The new monarch cancelled the remainder of the debt on the 21st of March 1510. Later imprisonment in 1516 may have been orchestrated so Wolsey could claim credit for releasing him. He faced examination in the Court of the Star Chamber but was soon set free. Wolsey expressed suspicions of his loyalty in a letter to the king dated 1519. Yet he escaped the fate suffered by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, who was executed for treason in 1521.
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Common questions
When was Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland born?
Henry Algernon Percy entered the world on the 13th of January 1477. He was the son of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, and Maud Herbert.
What date did Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland inherit his title?
On the 28th of April 1489, he succeeded his father as the 5th Earl of Northumberland. This succession occurred after he had been made a Knight of the Bath on the 21st of November 1489.
How much money did Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland spend annually on servants according to household records?
The Northumberland Household Book records that he spent no less than £1,500 annually just on servants and followers. These expenses quickly drove him into debt despite an annual income of about £2,300 per annum.
Why was Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland imprisoned in 1516?
In 1516, the Earl found himself cast into the Fleet Prison for interfering with the king's prerogative concerning wardships. The charge involved disposing of the wardship and marriage of Elizabeth Hastings without royal licence.
Which battle did Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland fight at in May 1498?
He fought at the Battle of Blackheath on the 14th of May 1498 while joining the royal army to suppress Cornish rebels. Later that same month, he took formal control of his lands and castles.