Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland

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Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, (3 February 1392 /139322 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 favour in 1416 by Henry V of England, receiving the estates of his paternal grandfather Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland and 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 Plantagenet, 3rd 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.

[edit] 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, mother of Edward IV and Richard III.

They had ten children:

[edit] Further reading

  • Rose, Alexander Kings in the North - The House of Percy in British History. Phoenix/Orion Books Ltd, 2002, ISBN 1-84212-485-4 (722 pages paperback)
Preceded by:
New Creation
Earl of Northumberland
1416–1455
Followed by:
Henry Percy
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