Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland
|
|
Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, (3 February, 1392 /1393 – 22 May, 1455) was the son of Henry Percy and his wife Elizabeth de Mortimer, daughter of Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March and Philippa Plantagenet.
He was restored to favor in 1416 by Henry V of England, receiving the estates of his paternal grandfather Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland the re-creation of his earldom.
He was apparently loyal to Henry V till the death of the later on 31 August, 1422. Henry V was succeeded by his one-year-old son Henry VI of England. Percy was on the regency council in the early years of the new reign.
Percy was later involved in the Wars of the Roses which placed him in an awkward situation. He owed his loyalty to the House of Lancaster but was first cousin of Anne Mortimer and kinsman to her son Richard, Duke of York, head of the House of York. On 22 May, 1455, Percy fought on the Lancastrian side in the First Battle of St Albans, first battle of the Wars. He was among the casualties.
Marriage and children
Percy married Lady Eleanor Neville, daughter of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and his second wife Joan Beaufort. Her siblings included Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury and Cecily Neville.
They had two children:
- Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland (25 July, 1421 - 29 March, 1461).
- Lady Katherine Percy. She married Edmund Grey.
Further reading
- Rose, Alexander Kings in the North - The House of Percy in British History. Phoenix/Orion Books Ltd, 2002, ISBN 1842124854 (722 pages paperback)
| Preceded by: New Creation | Earl of Northumberland | Followed by: Henry Percy |