Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset KG (1457–September 20, 1501), known as Lord Ferrers de Groby between 1461 and 1471, and the Earl of Huntingdon between 1471 and 1475, was the eldest son of Elizabeth Woodville and consequently a stepson of Edward IV of England.

Thomas was Elizabeth's son by her first marriage, to Sir John Grey. He was created Earl of Huntingdon in 1471 but resigned this peerage in 1475, when he was created Marquess of Dorset. He was summoned to Parliament on November 15, 1482. In January 1482/3 on the death of his grandmother Elizabeth, he became Lord Ferrers of Groby. He joined the Duke of Buckingham's 1483 rebellion against Richard III. When the rebellion failed he fled to Brittany to join Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII.

Thomas first married Anne Holland, only daughter of Anne of York, dowager Duchess of Exeter and sister of Edward IV. After she died young without issue he married Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington and Bonville, a niece of Richard Neville Earl of Warwick and stepdaughter of William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings, Edward IV's close associate. By the latter marriage Lady Jane Grey was his great-grand-daughter.

He is depicted in William Shakespeare’s play Richard III.

Preceded by: New Creation	Earl of Huntingdon 1471–1475	Succeeded by: Resigned
	Marquess of Dorset 1475–1501	Succeeded by: Thomas Grey
Preceded by: John Grey	Baron Ferrers of Groby 1461–1501

This page incorporates information from Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page.