Henry Hotspur Percy Sir

Arms of Hotspur

Henry Percy, Lord Percy also known as Hotspur was the son of Henry 1st Earl Northumberland and Margaret De Neville, he was born 20th May1364 at Alnwick Castle Northumberland England. He married Elizabeth De Mortimer daughter to Edmund De Mortimer 3rd Earl March and Philippa Plantagenet Countess of Ulster.   

Henry and Elizabeth had two children: 

Henry Percy, 3rd February 1393 - 22nd May 1455.

Elizabeth Percy, c.1395 - 26th October 1496.  

The Percy family were a powerful family in Northern England during much of the Middle Ages, the family had gained the title Baron Percy before the 1066 conquest. The family name Percy is derived from the Norman village Percy En Auge , the ancestral home of the Percy family before 1066.    

I discovered Henry Hotspurs back in 2008 - 09, and my ancestral connection is; he is my 18th Great grandfather. 

Henry is an ancestor who gives up an extraordinary amount of historical information of himself, and his family history. Seconded only by the House of Plantagenet the House of Percy has given me years of researching pleasure. 

In the year 1377 Henry Hotspur was knighted by King Edward III alongside the future King Richard II and Future King Henry IV. He was in Ireland in the year 1388 with Edmund De Mortimer 3rd Earl of March, 1338 saw him travelling to Prussia and was appointed Warden of the East March 1384 - 1385. 

He accompanied King Richard II to the Scottish boarders in 1385 and because of his speed and willingness to attack the Scots gave him the name Hattspore (Hotspur). In 1386 he travelled to France and reinforced the garrison at Calais were he led raids into Picardy.

He was in command of Naval forces August to September 1387 were he attempted to relieve the siege at Breast. He was made Knight of the Garter 1388 at the age of 24 in appreciation of his military abilities.

Percy commanded the English military forces against James Douglas at the Battle of Otterburn 10th August 1388, were he was captured and ransomed for 7000 marks. Henry Hotspurs reputation continues to grow in years to follow and he is sent as a Diplomat to Cyprus, June 1393. Appointed Lieutenant of the Duchy of Aquitaine 1394 - 98 on behalf of John of Gaunt. Returning to England January 1395 he accompanied Richard II in his expedition to Ireland, returned to Aquitaine in the autumn and was in Calais in the Summer of 1396. 

Percy earned substantial Royal favour for his military and diplomatic service, the Percy family gave its support to the feature King Henry IV in his rebellion against King Richard II. When Henry returned from Exile in June 1399 Percy and his father joined Henry and his forces at Doncaster and marched south to depose King Richard II. The Percys were rewarded with lands and titles from Henry IV.  

Under the new King Henry IV Percy had both civil and military responsibilities to the east of march and towards Wales and also to the north and Scotland. He was appointed High Sheriff of Flintshire, 1399.

In 1402 Percy was appointed Royal Lieutenant in Wales by Henry IV, on the 14th September Percy, his father and the 3rd Earl of March defeated a Scottish force at The Battle of Homildon Hill. 

The Percy family became disgruntled with Henry IV decisions over the next months and the family moved closer to rebellion. Among other grievances the Percys could not except the Kings failure to pay them for their defending the Scottish boarder and the Kings failure to ransom Henrys brother-in-law, Edmund Mortimer after his capture by the Welsh, June 1402.

Pedigree of the Percy Family

In the summer of the year 1402 the Percy family had had all they could take from the King and they took  up arms against Henry IV in rebellion to his decisions in past months. Apparently Henry Percy had issued proclamation accusing the King of running a tyrannical government.

Percy was joined by his uncle Thomas Percy Earl of Worcester and his father Henry1st Earl Northumberland and together they marched to Shrewsbury were they intended to engage the army there under the command of the Prince of Wales, feature King Henry V. 

Death of Henry Hotspurs Percy

Henry and his uncle arrived at Shrewsbury with their armies 21st July 1403, without the support of his fathers army as his father was moving south toward Shrewsbury at a slower pace. 

On their arrival they encountered the King with a large army, Henry and Thomas engaged the Kings army, and the ensuing bloody and fierce Battle of Shrewsbury was underway. 

The battle was the first were English Archers engaged against the other on English soil, reaffirming the effectiveness of the English Longbow, in the most gruesome of ways, cutting men down in both armies. The battle ended Henrys challenge to King Henry IV, he paid the price of his dis - content with the King through his own death; on that battle field at the Battle of Shrewsbury 21st July 1403, at the age of 39.

Henrys uncle was executed 2 days after his capture at the battle, he was beheaded at Shrewsbury and Buried at St Peter's Shrewsbury; his head was on display on London Bridge.  It is said that on being presented to Henry Hotspurs lifeless body after the battle, that King Henry IV wept for the loss of a great Warrior. 

His body was taken to Whitchurch Shropshire by Thomas Neville for burial, that should have been the end of Percy's story but there is one last twist.

It soon became a popular public opinion that Hotspurs was not in fact dead, and he was in fact alive and still raging battle some were. 

The King moved to extinguish this belief by having his body exhumed and put on display in the Shrewsbury market place. 

The King then sent his head to York for display, had his body quartered and sent to London, New Castle on Tyne, Bristol and Chester. After a pried of time his body parts where retuned to his wife who respectfully laid them to rest in York Minster, November 1403.

Henrys land holdings were forfeited to the crown after he was declared a traitor, January 1404.

Researching Henry Hotspur Percy has given me not just an insight into his life, but an over all greater understanding of history in general surrounding his and other ancestors lives. Through my research I can reveal that Henry is also 16th Great grandfather to Sir Winston Churchill and Lady Diana. If we keep looking, keep researching we may be pleasantly surprised with the discovery of unknown facts, concealed in our family history.

Henry Hotspur

Suggested reading:

The Bloody Field by Shrewsbury, by Edith Pargeter.

Hotspur, by AW Boardman.

Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Executions in the Family

 Down through the ages there have been those who have suffered the most horrendous of deaths at the hands of the executioner of the day, treason seems to be a conviction handed out rather regularly. Hugh the younger De Spencer was my 20th Great granduncle and he suffered a particularly gruesome ending 24th November 1326 Hereford England. Hugh was judged and found guilty of High Treason and sentenced to death. While awaiting his execution in prison he attempted to starve himself to death, trying the easier way to die was his motivation. He was sentenced to death by Hanging and Drawing and Quartering, the most gruesome form of execution along side burning at the stake. The demise of Hugh the younger was well documented and we can explore his life up to his death, personally I believe his punishment was some what excessive. 

Execution of Hugh De Spencer

A less gruesome form of execution may have been Beheading, if we consider the possible speed of execution in comparison to the later. But there must be some consideration to personal choice now days so I leave it up to the reader to decide the less gruesome. Truth is that executions could often be a prolonged process by intent or incompetent executioners. 

In my deep family history there are those who made their way through life without drawing adversity to themselves, seems that stepping on toes on your life journey was a shaw way to bring the executioner's  axe swinging down on your head. There are 25 people, in my family who suffered death at the hands of the executioner, Hugh's death amongst them.

Another person I would like to bring forward is my 3rd Cousin 14x removed Anne Boleyn and wife to the tyrant King Henry VIII also a 6th Cousin 13x removed to myself.

We have all learnt of the fait of the wives of Henry VIII but when we discover that you have an ancestral connection to people in history we tend to take a much more in-depth look at their lives, and possibly take on a more personal interest in history; this has been true in my case. I have read countless articles and publications about Anne Boleyn, leading up to and including her execution at the Tower of London.

I can say that I do experience a personal attachment to her story and consequently absorb more attention to how she may have been feeling in her last hours. 

Public outrage to the executions was not uncommon, just as we see today some would be in support and others would not be in support of an execution. In the case of Edmond of Woodstock Plantagenet, public anger at his execution delayed his death by 5 hours because no Axman would go against public opinion. A convicted murderer was call upon to do the deed in exchange for his own pardon. 

Revenge could be said to be the motivation for some executions, 17th November 1326 Edmund 9th Earl of Arundel Fitzalan was executed by Queen Isabella, after being captured by John Charlton of Powys an old foe at Shrewsbury. Historical account tells us he was executed with a blunt sword and that it took 22 blows of the sword to remove his head.    

Anne Boleyn 

Tower of London

 

There are stories be hind each execution, it is a fascinating research journey; to be taken. If we take the time to look a little deeper than we usually do we will be rewarded with a richer understanding of our family history. Give thought to how lucky we are that our executed ancestors had issue to continue their family line, so we are here to explore our history.

Below listed 25 ancestors who have met with gruesome endings, 23 were executed by beheading.

1. Hugh the Younger De Spencer, 20th Great granduncle.

2. Edmund of Woodstock Plantagenet, 20th Great granduncle. 

3. Edmund 9th Earl of Arundel Fitzalan, 20th Great grandfather.

4. Thomas 2nd Earl of Lancaster Plantagenet, 20th Great granduncle.

5. Henry 1st Earl of Northumberland Percy, 19th Great grandfather. 

6. Thomas 1st Earl of Worcester De Percy, 18th Great granduncle.

7. Anne Boleyn Queen, 3rd Cousin 14x removed.

8. Owen Meredith Tudor, Husband of 4th Cousin 20x removed.

10. Margaret 8th Countess Salisbury Plantagenet, 5th Cousin 14x removed.

11. Richard 11th Earl of Arundel Fitzalan, 18th Great grandfather.

12. Robert Devereux, 6th Cousin 11x removed.

13. Christopher Blount, Husband of 5th Cousin 12x removed.

14. Robert De Holland, Husband of 1st Cousin 22x removed.

15. John 1st Duke of Northumberland Dudley, 2nd Cousin 15x removed.

16. Edward Neville, 2nd Cousin 17x removed.

17. Richard 5th Earl of Salisbury Neville, 17th Great granduncle.

18. Mary I Stuart Queen, 8th Cousin 11x removed.

19. Richard Grey, 4th Cousin 18x removed.

20. Robert 8th Baron of Willoughby De Eresby Welles, 3rd Cousin 16x removed.

21. Richard 7th Baron of De Welles, 2nd Cousin 17x removed.

22. Edward 17th Earl of Warwick Plantagenet, 5th Cousin 14x removed.

23. Jane Grey Lady, 8th Cousin 11x removed.

24. John Guildford Dudley Lord, Husband of 8th Cousin 11x removed. 

25. Charles I King, 10th Cousin 9x removed. 

Execution of Lady Jane Grey

Recommended reading:

Tower, by Nigel Jones.

Anne Boleyn, by Eric Ives.

Lady Jane Grey, by Eric Ives.

 

Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Burials and Tomb's in Westminster Abbey

 Westminster Abbey is a fascinating example of historical fact as are most all cathedrals and church's in London and through out the the United Kingdom, I found them to be so during my visits to England. Churches and their Parish records are like sponges to the history of our past generations and we should never under estimate the value of the information they hold about our ancestors. This has been a true fact for my researching of my Bond family history, a tool I have used since the begging of my family researching. In London and though out England I have found Church/Parish records that record the births, marriages and deaths of my family that go back many generations not simply two or three generations but many more. We can look forward to the possibility of gaining information for multiple persons in one record, and we may also be able to find that multiple generations have recorded history at a given church. Dig deep, research deep and leave no favourable record behind, as you discover them.

Westminster Abbey is a place of outstanding historical value, a place most would have on their bucket list of places to see in their travels. For you family historians who have the Abbey on your list see this helpful link too visiting, when your next in London, Verger guided tours.

Westminster Abbey/Public Domain 

As we know it today Westminster Abbey go's back to 1245 when the construction was begone with the orders of King Henry 3rd, there are more than 3,300 burials on site including 16 Monarchs and 8 Prime Ministers plus many more persons of notoriety. I have visited Westminster when in London and have been lifted up by the grandeur  and atmosphere, on taking those fist step in past the entrance. I was only able to wander in areas limited to self guiding but still I was in ore of the names that were before me. I was unaware at the time, to the fact that I was a descendent of some of the people entombed here. 

Today if I was to visit I would be visiting with the knowledge that in fact I have 35 ancestors entombed at Westminster Abbey, in my Bond family line. Amazing some would say, unbelievable others would exclaim, but to me it's just the results of heavy research days for years on end. All 35 ancestors were researched individually for their individual place in the family, over a period of 17-18 years; before connection to Westminster Abbey.

When researching our family histories be ready to be surprised at any point along the way and willing to dig deeper into the new found facts.

The 35 individual ancestors that I discovered and entombed at Westminster Abbey are listed below.

1. Henry III Plantagenet King, 22nd Great grandfather, Eleanor De Provence, 22nd Great grandmother buried at Amesbury Priory.

2. Thomas Owen, 11th Great grandfather.

3 - 4. Edward I Longshanks Plantagenet King, 21st Great grandfather. Eleanor De Castile Queen, 21st Great grandfather.

5 - 6. Edward III of Windsor Plantagenet King, 21st Great grandfather. Philippa De Hainault Queen, 21st Great grandmother.

7 - 8. Richard II Plantagenet King, 1st Cousin 21x removed, Anne Bohemia Queen, Wife of 1st Cousin 21x removed.

9. Emma De Normandy Queen, 29th Great grandmother.

10 - 11 Edward the Confessor De England King, 28th Great grand uncle, Edith De Wessex, Wife of 28th Great grand uncle. 

12. Henry V De Lancaster King, 2nd Cousin 20x removed.

13. Edward V of England child King, 5th Cousin 14x removed.

14. Henry VII of England King, 6th Cousin 14x removed.

15. Edward VI of England King, 7th Cousin 12x removed.

16. Anne of Cleaves, Wife of 6th Cousin 13x removed.

17. Mary I of England Queen, 7th Cousin 12x removed.

18. Elizabeth I of England Queen, 4th Cousin 14x removed.

19. Cnut (Canute) the Great King, 30th Great grandfather.

20. Anne Neville Queen, 2nd Cousin 17x removed.

21 - 22. Elizabeth Seymour / Percy, 8th Cousin 8x removed, Huge 1st Duke of Northumberland Smithson / Percy, Husband of 8th Cousin 8x removed.

23. Elizabeth Anne Frances Percy, 9th Cousin 6x removed.

24. Marie De La Garde Peliot / Bond, Wife of 9th Cousin 10x removed.

25 - 26. George Augustus II Hanover King, 13th Cousin 6x removed,

 Wilhelmine Charlotte Karoline Von Brandenburg Ansbach, Wife of 13th Cousin 6x removed.

27. Mary I Stewart Queen, 8th Cousin 11x removed.

28. James VI Stewart King, 9th Cousin 10x removed.

29. Elizabeth Stewart, 10th Cousin 9x removed.

30. Charles II Stewart King, 11th Cousin 8x removed.

31. Anne Stewart Queen, 12th Cousin 7x removed.

32. George of Denmark Prince, Husband of 12th Cousin 7x removed. 

33 -34. William II - III Orange of England King, 12th Cousin 7x removed, Mary II Stuart Queen, 12th Cousin 7x removed.

35. George Seymour, 8th Cousin 7x removed.  

  Source: Burials at Westmister Abbey.

Recommended reading:

The Obedientriaries of Westminster Abbey and their Financial Records, by Barbara Harvey.

Treasures of Westminster Abbey, by Tony Trowels. 

Westminster Abbey, by David Cannadine.

Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.