Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland
Henry Percy entered the household of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as a young page, learning the ways of aristocratic society in the early 1500s. He was born about 1502, the eldest son of Henry Algernon Percy, the fifth Earl of Northumberland. His mother Catherine was the daughter of Sir Robert Spencer, making him a first cousin to William Carey. This family connection linked him directly to Anne Boleyn through her brother-in-law. The principal source for these early years is George Cavendish's biography of Wolsey. By 1519, the boy had been knighted and stepped into a world of high stakes politics.
In the spring of 1523, Henry Percy fell in love with Anne Boleyn while still serving as a page to Wolsey. They became betrothed without seeking permission from his father or the King. Wolsey scolded Lord Percy before his entire household when he discovered the secret engagement. The King held an interest because of the importance of the Northumberland earldom. Another obstacle existed since Anne was intended to marry James Butler, the ninth Earl of Ormond. Her father Sir Thomas Boleyn had a feeble claim on vast estates in Munster through his grandfather. Percy's own father refused the match because Anne was only a knight's daughter.
By early 1524 or 1525, the unhappy couple married Lady Mary Talbot, daughter of the fourth Earl of Shrewsbury. The old earl allowed them little comfort or income. Wolsey tried to insert his own servants into their household to control young Henry. Only four years into the marriage, the relationship broke down irretrievably by 1528. Northumberland suspected his wife of spying for Norfolk while her father worried about abuse. When William Lord Dacre asked the Duke of Norfolk to defend her, Northumberland declared he would never see her again. Mary delivered a stillborn child at her father's home in April 1529. In 1532 she accused him of a precontract with Anne Boleyn and confided this to her father.
On the 19th of May 1527 Henry succeeded his father as sixth Earl of Northumberland. He became Lord Warden of the East and West Marches on the 2nd of December that same year. Constant illness plagued him with an ague, likely malaria, yet he had to maintain an establishment and fight on his own account. Cardinal Wolsey treated him patronizingly and rarely allowed him to visit court. His chief friend was Sir Thomas Arundell. Despite these struggles, Northumberland remained active on the borders. In 1530 he received a message from the king ordering him to arrest Wolsey at Cawood. He sent the prisoner south under custody of Sir Roger Lascelles while staying behind to inventory the Cardinal's goods. By the 11th of May 1532 he served as High Sheriff of Northumberland for life.
In May 1536 Northumberland formed part of the jury for Anne Boleyn's trial despite his broken health. Anne reportedly confessed a precontract with him hoping to save her life. He collapsed immediately following the verdict and had to be carried out of the courtroom. This physical breakdown marked a turning point in his final years. The event occurred just months before his death in June 1537. His mental state deteriorated rapidly after this traumatic experience. The collapse demonstrated how deeply the conviction affected him personally.
During September 1536 the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion began while Northumberland lay ill in bed at Wressle Castle. Rebel leader Robert Aske visited him there and asked him to resign his commands or join the uprising. Percy refused both requests even though his brothers and mother openly sympathized with the rebels. When lawyer William Stapleton came to see him, the Earl was in despair. Aske sent him to York to protect him from followers who wanted to behead him. Despite pressure from his own family, Northumberland remained loyal to King Henry VIII throughout the crisis.
Northumberland died on the 30th of June 1537 at Newington Green where Richard Layton visited him on the 29th of June. Layton found him yellow and distended as his mind failed fast. He was buried in St Augustin's Church which now forms part of St John at Hackney parish church. An epitaph recorded by antiquarian John Weever stated he died the last day of June 1537 during the twenty-ninth year of Henry VIII's reign. A presumed Victorian memorial plaque discovered during 2020 refurbishment now rests inside the church. The earldom fell into abeyance upon his death before being revived for his nephew Thomas. His widow Mary Talbot lived until 1572 while his two brothers faced execution and exile.
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Common questions
When was Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland born?
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland was born about 1502. He entered the household of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as a young page in the early 1500s.
Who did Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland marry and when did their marriage end?
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland married Lady Mary Talbot by early 1524 or 1525. The relationship broke down irretrievably by 1528 after four years of marriage.
What role did Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland play in Anne Boleyn's trial in May 1536?
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland formed part of the jury for Anne Boleyn's trial on the 19th of May 1527. He collapsed immediately following the verdict and had to be carried out of the courtroom due to his broken health.
How did Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland respond to Robert Aske during the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion in September 1536?
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland refused both requests from rebel leader Robert Aske to resign his commands or join the uprising while he lay ill at Wressle Castle. Despite pressure from his own family who sympathized with the rebels, Northumberland remained loyal to King Henry VIII throughout the crisis.
When and where did Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland die?
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland died on the 30th of June 1537 at Newington Green. Richard Layton visited him on the 29th of June before his death and found him yellow and distended as his mind failed fast.