Biography of Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland 1502-1537
Paternal Family Tree: Reginar aka Percy
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Pipard Baroness Lisle 1323-1375
1529 Oct Wolsey surrenders the Great Seal
1536 Imprisonment and Trial of Anne Boleyn and her Co-Accused
On 28 Apr 1489 [his grandfather] Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 40) was hanged at York [Map] by the rebels when attempting to collect the tax.
[his father] Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 11) succeeded 5th Earl of Northumberland, 8th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 16th Baron Percy of Topcliffe, 7th Baron Poynings.
The King then sent an army of 8000 north led by Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 46). The rebels dispersed; their leader John à Chambre was hanged for treason. The rebels then chose John Percy (age 30) as their leader. His leadership proved less than reliable; he eventually fled to the court of Margaret of York Duchess of Burgundy (age 42) (sister of Edward IV and Richard III) who remained sympathetic to the Yorkist cause.
Before 1502 [his father] Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 23) and [his mother] Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland (age 24) were married. She by marriage Countess of Northumberland. She the daughter of Robert Spencer of Spencer Combe (age 66) and Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde. He the son of Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland and Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
In 1502 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland was born to Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 23) and Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland (age 25).
In 1519 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 17) was knighted.
Before 1521 William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke (age 28) and [his future sister-in-law] Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre Gilsland (age 13) were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland. She the daughter of George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 52) and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
In 1523 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 21) and Anne Boleyn (age 22) were secretly betrothed. The bethrothal broken off when his father [his father] Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 44) refused to support their engagement.
Life of Cardinal Wolsey. In so much [as] my Lord Percy (age 21), the son and heir of the Earl of Northumberland (age 44), then attended upon the Lord Cardinal, and was also his servitor; and when it chanced the Lord Cardinal at any time to repair to the court, the Lord Percy (age 21) would then resort for his pastime unto the queen's chamber, and there would fall in dalliance among the queen's maidens, being at the last more conversant with Mistress Anne Boleyn (age 22) than with any other; so that there grew such a secret love between them that, at length, they were insured together8, intending to marry. The which thing came to the king's knowledge, who was then much offended. Wherefore he could hide no longer his secret affection, but revealed his secret intendment unto my Lord Cardinal in that behalf; and consulted with him to infringe the precontract between them: insomuch, that after my Lord Cardinal was departed from the court, and returned home to his place at Westminster, not forgetting the king's request and counsel, being in his gallery, called there before him the said Lord Percy unto his presence, and before us his servants of his chamber, saying thus unto him." I marvel not a little," quoth he, "of thy peevish folly, that thou wouldest tangle and ensure thyself with a foolish girl yonder in the court, I mean Anne Boleyn (age 22). Dost thou not consider the estate that God hath called thee unto in this world? For after the death of thy noble father, thou art most like to inherit and possess one of the most worthiest earldoms of this realm. Therefore it had been most meet, and convenient for thee, to have sued for the consent of thy father in that behalf, and to have also made the king's highness privy thereto; requiring therein his princely favour, submitting all thy whole proceeding in all such matters unto his highness, who would not only accept thankfully your sub mission, but would, I assure thee, provide so for your purpose therein, that he would advance you much more nobly, and have matched you according to your estate and honour, whereby ye might have grown so by your wisdom and honourable behaviour into the king's high estimation, that it should have been much to your increase of honour. But now behold what ye have done through your wilfulness. Ye have not only offended your natural father, but also your most gracious sovereign lord, and matched yourself with one, such as neither the king, ne yet your father will be agreeable with the matter. And hereof I put you out of doubt, that I will send for your father, and at his coming, he shall either break this unadvised contract, or else disinherit thee for ever. The king's majesty himself will complain to thy father on thee, and require no less at his hand than I have said; whose highness intended to have preferred [Anne Boleyn (age 22)] unto another person, with whom the king hath travelled already, and being almost at a point with the same person, although she knoweth it not, yet hath the king, most like a politic and prudent prince, conveyed the matter in such sort, that she, upon the king's motion, will be (I doubt not) right glad and agreeable to the same." "Sir," (quoth the Lord Percy, all weeping), "I knew nothing of the king's pleasure therein, for whose displeasure I am very sorry. I considered that I was of good years, and thought myself sufficient to provide me of a convenient wife, whereas my fancy served me best, not doubting but that my lord my father would have been right well persuaded. And though she be a simple maid, and having but a knight to her father, yet is she descended of right noble parentage. As by her mother she is nigh of the Norfolk blood: and of her father's side lineally descended of the Earl of Ormond, he being one of the earl's heirs general9. Why should I then, sir, be any thing scrupulous to match with her, whose estate of descent is equivalent with mine when I shall be in most dignity? Therefore I most humbly require your grace of your especial favour herein; and also to entreat the king's most royal majesty most lowly on my behalf for his princely benevolence in this matter, the which I cannot deny or for sake." "Lo, sirs," quoth the cardinal, "ye may see what conformity and wisdom is in this wilful boy's head. I thought that when thou heardest me declare the king's intended pleasure and travail herein, thou wouldest have relented and wholly submitted thyself, and all thy wilful and unadvised fact, to the king's royal will and prudent pleasure, to be fully disposed and ordered by his grace's disposition, as his highness should seem good." "Sir, so I would," quoth the Lord Percy, "but in this matter I have gone so far, before many so worthy witnesses, that I know not how to avoid my self nor to discharge my conscience." Why, thinkest thou, "quoth the cardinal," that the king and I know not what we have to do in as weighty a matter as this? Yes (quoth he), I warrant thee. Howbeit I can see in thee no submission to the purpose." "For sooth, my Lord," quoth the Lord Percy, "if it please your grace, I will submit myself wholly unto the king's majesty and [your] grace in this matter, my conscience being discharged of the weighty burthen of my precontract." "Well then," quoth the cardinal, "I will send for your father out of the north parts, and he and we shall take such order for the avoiding of this thy hasty folly as shall be by the king thought most expedient. And in the mean season I charge thee, and in the king's name command thee, that thou presume not once to resort into her company, as thou intendest to avoid the king's high indignation." And this said he rose up and went into his chamber.
Note 8. This expression, unless the author himself were misinformed, must not be extended to imply an absolute precontract. Lord Herbert, in his Life of Henry VIII. p. 448, has published an original letter from this nobleman, then Earl of Northumberland, written in the year 1536, a short time before Q. Anne's suffering, in which he denies any such contract, in the most solemn terms. This letter will be found in the Appendix. W.
I have placed this letter in the Appendix (Letter VII) for the convenience of the reader.
Note 9. Geffrey Bollen, a gentlemen of Norfolk, Mayor of London 1457, marryed one [Ann Hoo] of the daughters and heyres of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings, by whome he had William Bolleyn (knight of the Bath at Richard 3ds coronation) who marryed the Earl of Ormond's daughter (age 69) (he though of Ireland, sate in the English parliament above English Barons), by her he had Thomas Bollen (age 46), whome the Erle of Surrey after Duke of Norfolk (age 80) chose for his son-in-law; of which marriage this Anne was born, 1507.
Note from Sir R. Twysden's MS. Frag.
In Jan 1524 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 22) and Mary Talbot Countess Northumberland were married. She the daughter of George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 56) and Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. He the son of Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 45) and Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland (age 47). They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 19 May 1527 [his father] Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 49) died. His son Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 25) succeeded 6th Earl of Northumberland, 9th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 17th Baron Percy of Topcliffe, 8th Baron Poynings. [his wife] Mary Talbot Countess Northumberland by marriage Countess of Northumberland.
Letters and Papers 1529. 25 Oct 1529. Rym. XIV. 349. 6025. Cardinal Wolsey (age 56).
Memorandum of the surrender of the Great Seal by Cardinal Wolsey, on 17 Oct., to the dukes of Norfolk (age 56) and Suffolk (age 45), in his gallery at his house at Westminster, at 6 o'clock p.m., in the presence of Sir William Fitzwilliam (age 39), John Tayler, and Stephen Gardiner (age 46). The same was delivered by Tayler to the King (age 38) at Windsor [Map], on the 20 Oct., by whom it was taken out and attached to certain documents, in the presence of Tayler and Gardiner, Henry Norris (age 47), Thomas Heneage (age 49), Ralph Pexsall, clerk of the Crown, John Croke, John Judd, and Thomas Hall, of the Hanaper.
On the 25th Oct. the seal was delivered by the King at East Greenwich to Sir Thomas More (age 51), in the presence of Henry Norres (age 47) and Chr. Hales, Attorney General, in the King's privy chamber; and on the next day, Tuesday, 26 Oct., More took his oath as Chancellor in the Great Hall [Map] at Westminster, in presence of the dukes of Norfolk (age 56) and Suffolk (age 45), Th. marquis of Dorset (age 52), Henry marquis of Exeter (age 33), John Earl of Oxford (age 58), Henry Earl of Northumberland (age 27), [his father-in-law] George Earl of Shrewsbury (age 61), Ralph Earl of Westmoreland (age 31), John Bishop of Lincoln (age 56), Cuthbert Bishop of London (age 55), John Bishop of Bath and Wells, Sir Rob. Radclyf, Viscount Fitzwater (age 46), Sir Tho. Boleyn, Viscount Rocheforde (age 52), Sir WilliamSandys, Lord (age 52) and others.
Close Roll, 21 Henry VIII. m. 19d.
On 04 Nov 1530 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (age 57) was arrested by Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 28) on a charge of treason.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 1530-1539. 29 Nov 1530. This yeare, on the even of St. Andrewe,d the Cardinall, Thomas Wolsey (age 57), died at Leicester, cominge to London to his indictment,e and there is buried in Our Ladies Chappell. Some recken he killed himselfe with purgations.f
Note d. November 29.
Note e. The Cardinal (age 57) had been arrested by the Earl of Northumberland (age 28) on a charge of high treason at Cawood [Map], near York, on the 4th of November.
Note f. Wolsey (age 57) is generally believed to hare died of dysentery at Leicester Abbey, on the third day of his jourmey, about 8 o'clock in the morning of the 29th of November, being in the sixtieth year of his age. He was buried at midnight, without any solemnity, in Our Lady Chapel in the church of that monastery.
In 1531 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 29) was appointed 294th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 39).
In Jul 1534 Thomas Wendy (age 34) was employed by Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 32) with an annuity of £3 6s.8d. from Fountains Abbey [Map], the grant being made at the instance of the earl, a benefactor of the abbey. Wendy was employed by Northumberland in a number of other capacities. In March 1535 he executed with the earl a deed transferring the Percy lands in Sussex to the crown. He carried a number of letters from the earl to Cromwell in 1536 and 1537 and attended him at Hackney in his last illness in June 1537.
Letters and Papers 1535. 01 Jan 1535. 1. I doubt not he will be very glad to hear that the Earl of Northumberland (age 33) is not too well pleased either with the King or with his ministers, as the said Earl's physician informed me two days ago, declaring that his master had said the whole realm was so indignant at the oppressions and enormities now practised, that if the Emperor would make the smallest effort, the King would be ruined. The King's only hope was in the Turk, of whose strength those here shamefully boast. The Earl then began to enlarge on the arrogance and malice of the King's lady (age 34), saying that lately she had spoken such shameful words to the Duke of Norfolk (age 62) as one would not address to a dog, so that he was compelled to quit the chamber. In his indignation he declared himself to one to whom he did not generally show good-will, and uttered reproaches against the said Lady (age 34), of which the least was to call her "grande putain1".
Note 1. great whore.
Letters 1536. 13 May 1536. Otho, C. x. 221. B. M. Hearne's Sylloge, 113. Burnet, vi. 167. 864. Earl of Northumberland (age 34) to Cromwell.
I perceive by Raynold Carnaby that there is supposed a pre-contract between the Queen (age 35) and me; "whereupon I was not only heretofore examined upon my oath before the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, but also received the blessed sacrament upon the same before the Duke of Norfolk (age 63) and other the King's highness' council learned in the spiritual law, assuring you, Mr. Secretary, by the said oath and blessed body, which afore I received and hereafter intend to receive, that the same may be to my damnation if ever there were any contract or promise of marriage between her and me." Newington Green, 13 May 28 Henry VIII. Signed. Mutilated. Add.
Letters 1536. 15 May 1536. R. O. 876. Trial of Anne Boleyn (age 35) and Lord Rochford (age 33).
Record of pleas held at the Tower of London before Thomas Duke of Norfolk (age 63), treasurer and Earl marshal, lord high steward, citing:—
1. Patent appointing the said Duke steward of England hac vice for the trial of queen Anne and Lord Rochford (age 33). Westm., 12 May 28 Henry VIII.
2. Mandate to Sir John Baldewyn, Sir Richard Lister, Sir John Porte, Sir John Spelman, Sir Walter Luke, Sir Anth. Fitzherbert, Sir Thos. Englefeld, and Sir William Shelley, special commissioners of Oyer and Terminer for Middlesex, to return all indictments found against queen Anne and Lord Rochford (age 33). Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.
3. Similar mandate to Sir John Baldewyn, Sir Walter Luke, Sir Anth. Fitzherbert, and Sir William Shelley, special commissioners for Kent. Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.
4. Mandate to Sir William Kyngestone, constable of the Tower, to bring queen Anne and Lord Rochford (age 33) before the Lord High Steward when required. Westm., 13 May 28 Henry VIII.
5. The Lord High Steward issued his precept, 13 May, to Sir John Baldewyn and his fellows in Middlesex, to return the indictments at the Tower before him on Monday, 15 May, and a similar precept to Sir J. Baldewyn, Luke, and his fellows in Kent; a third precept to the constable of the Tower to bring queen Anne and Lord Rochford (age 33) that day before him; and a fourth to Ralph Felmyngham, serjeant-at-arms, to summon such and so many lords of the kingdom, peers of the said queen Anne and Lord Rochford (age 33), by whom the truth may appear.
6. Pleas held before the Duke of Norfolk (age 63), steward of England, at the Tower, on Monday, 15 May 28 Henry VIII.
The justices bring in the indictments for Middlesex and Kent, Sir William Kingston (age 60) produces the prisoners, and Ralph Felmyngham declares that he has summoned the peers. Proclamation being then made, the peers answer to their names; viz., Charles Duke of Suffolk (age 52), Henry marquis of Exeter, William Earl of Arundel, John Earl of Oxford (age 65), Henry Earl of Northumberland (age 34), Ralph Earl of Westmoreland (age 38), Edward Earl of Derby (age 27), Henry Earl of Worcester, Thomas Earl of Rutland (age 44), Rob. Earl of Sussex, George Earl of Huntingdon, John lord Audeley, Thos. lord La Ware, Henry lord Mountague, Henry lord Morley, Thos. lord Dacre, George lord Cobham, Henry lord Maltravers, Edward lord Powes, Thos. lord Mount Egle, Edward lord Clynton, William lord Sandes, Andrew lord Wyndesore, Thos. lord Wentworth, Thos. lord Burgh, and John lord Mordaunt.
7. Indictment found at Westminster on Wednesday next after three weeks of Easter, 28 Henry VIII.1 before Sir John Baldwin, &c., by the oaths of Giles Heron, Roger More, Richard Awnsham, Thos. Byllyngton, Gregory Lovell, Jo. Worsop, William Goddard, William Blakwall, Jo. Wylford, William Berd, Henry Hubbylthorn, William Hunyng, Rob. Walys, John England, Henry Lodysman, and John Averey; who present that whereas queen Anne has been the wife of Henry VIII. for three years and more, she, despising her marriage, and entertaining malice against the King, and following daily her frail and carnal lust, did falsely and traitorously procure by base conversations and kisses, touchings, gifts, and other infamous incitations, divers of the King's daily and familiar servants to be her adulterers and concubines, so that several of the King's servants yielded to her vile provocations; viz., on 6th Oct. 25 Henry VIII., at Westminster, and divers days before and after, she procured, by sweet words, kisses, touches, and otherwise, Henry Noreys, of Westminster, gentle man of the privy chamber, to violate her, by reason whereof he did so at Westminster on the 12th Oct. 25 Henry VIII.; and they had illicit intercourse at various other times, both before and after, sometimes by his procurement, and sometimes by that of the Queen. Also the Queen, 2 Nov. 27 Henry VIII. and several times before and after, at Westminster, procured and incited her own natural brother, George Boleyn (age 33), Lord Rochford, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, alluring him with her tongue in the said George's mouth, and the said George's tongue in hers, and also with kisses, presents, and jewels; whereby he, despising the commands of God, and all human laws, 5 Nov. 27 Henry VIII., violated and carnally knew the said Queen, his own sister, at Westminster; which he also did on divers other days before and after at the same place, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 3 Dec. 25 Henry VIII., and divers days before and after, at Westminster, procured one William Bryerton, late of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so on 8 Dec. 25 Henry VIII., at Hampton Court, in the parish of Lytel Hampton, and on several other days before and after, sometimes by his own procurement and sometimes by the Queen's. Also the Queen, 8 May 26 Henry VIII., and at other times before and since, procured Sir Fras. Weston, of Westminster, gentleman of the privy chamber, &c., whereby he did so on the 20 May, &c. Also the Queen, 12 April 26 Henry VIII., and divers days before and since, at Westminster, procured Mark Smeton (age 24), groom of the privy chamber, to violate her, whereby he did so at Westminster, 26 April 27 Henry VIII.
Moreover, the said Lord Rochford (age 33), Norreys, Bryerton, Weston, and Smeton (age 24), being thus inflamed with carnal love of the Queen, and having become very jealous of each other, gave her secret gifts and pledges while carrying on this illicit intercourse; and the Queen, on her part, could not endure any of them to converse with any other woman, without showing great displeasure; and on the 27 Nov. 27 Henry VIII., and other days before and after, at Westminster, she gave them great gifts to encourage them in their crimes. And further the said Queen and these other traitors, 31 Oct. 27 Henry VIII., at Westminster, conspired the death and destruction of the King, the Queen often saying she would marry one of them as soon as the King died, and affirming that she would never love the King in her heart. And the King having a short time since become aware of the said abominable crimes and treasons against himself, took such inward displeasure and heaviness, especially from his said Queen's malice and adultery, that certain harms and perils have befallen his royal body.
And thus the said Queen and the other traitors aforesaid have committed their treasons in contempt of the Crown, and of the issue and heirs of the said King and Queen.
8. Record of indictment and process before Baldewyn, Luke, and others, in co. Kent.
The indictment found at Deptford, on Thursday, 11 May 28 Henry VIII., is precisely similar in character to the Middlesex indictment, except as regards times and places; viz., that the Queen at Estgrenewyche, 12 Nov. 25 Henry VIII., and divers days before and since, allured one Henry Noreys, late of Est Grenewyche, to violate her, whereby he did so on the 19 Nov., &c.; that on 22 Dec. 27 Henry VIII., and divers other days, at Eltham, she allured George Boleyn, Lord Rochford (age 33), &c., whereby he did so, 29 Dec., &c.; that on the 16 Nov. 25 Henry VIII., and divers, &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured one William Bryerton, late of Est Grenewyche, &c., whereby he did so, 27 Nov., &c.; that on the 6 June 26 Henry VIII., &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured Sir Fras. Weston, &c., whereby he did so, 20 June, &c.; that on the 13 May 26 Henry VIII. &c., at Est Grenewyche, she allured Mark Smeton (age 24), &c., whereby he did so, 19 May 26 Henry VIII.
And further that the said Boleyn, &c. grew jealous of each other; and the Queen, to encourage them, at Eltham, 31 Dec. 27 Henry VIII., and divers times before and since, made them presents, &c.; that the Queen and the others, 8 Jan. 27 Henry VIII., conspired the King's death, &c., and that she promised to marry one of the traitors whenever the King was dead, affirming she would never love him, &c.
And afterwards, Monday, 15 May, queen Anne comes to the bar before the Lord High Steward in the Tower, in the custody of Sir William Kingston (age 60), pleads not guilty, and puts herself on her peers; whereupon the said Duke of Suffolk (age 52), marquis of Exeter, and other peers, are charged by the High Steward to say the truth; and being examined from the lowest peer to the highest, each of them severally saith that she is guilty.
Judgment:—To be taken to prison in the Tower, and then, at the King's command, to the Green within the Tower, and there to be burned or beheaded as shall please the King.
The same day, Lord Rochford (age 33) is brought before the High Steward in the custody of Sir William Kingston (age 60), and pleads not guilty. The peers are charged, with the exception of the Earl of Northumberland (age 34), who was suddenly taken ill, and each of them severally saith that he is guilty.
Judgment:—To be taken to prison in the Tower, and then drawn through the city of London, to the gallows at Tyburn, &c., as usual in high treason.
R. O. 2. Originals of the above indictments, commission to the Lord High Steward, mandates and precept, with the original panel of peers. Several of these documents are a good deal injured.
Note 1. See Report III. of Dep. Keeper of the Pub. Records, App. ii. 243. The whole of the proceedings are printed by Mr. Hamilton in the Appendix to Vol. I. of Wriothesley's Chronicle.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 1536. And the same day, in the after-noone, at a solemne court kept at Lambeth by the Lord Archbishoppe of Canterburie (age 46) and the doctors of the lawe, the King was divorced from his wife Queene Anne (age 35), and there at the same cowrte was a privie contract approved that she had made to the Earle of Northumberlande (age 34) afore the Kings tyme; and so she was discharged, and was never lawfull Queene of England, and there it was approved the same.
Letters 1536. 30 Jun 1536. 1231. Cromwell's Administration. R. O. Things done by the King's highness sythyn I came to his service.
He purchased Hampton Court, the More, St. James in the Fields, and all the ground whereof the new park of Westminster is now made; all the old tenements in Westminster, where now is builded the new garden, the tennis plays, and cockfight; the manor of Pyssowe of lord Scrope; the manor of Weston Baldoc; the manor and park of Coppydhall; certain lands from Thos. Robertts, the auditor, lying beside Waltham: lands to a great value from the Earl of Northumberland (age 34); the manors of Llanamovery and Kendys in Wales from lord Audeleye; the manor and other lands in Chombham, whereof a park is made, of the abbot of Chertsey; the manor of Alderbroke in the forest of Waltham, of Gyles Heron, the manor of Chigwell Hall in the forest of Waltham, of Manoke; the manor of Edmonton, Middx. [of Edward North and William Brown]. He has repaired the tower of London; new made the Mary Rosse, the Peter Powngarnerd, the Lyon, the Katheryn Galye, the Barke, the Mynyon, the Swepestake. The manor of Coggeshall and Esterforde purchased of Mr. Sowthwell. He has purchased woods beside Portsmouth in Hampshire sufficient for the new making of the Henry Grace a Dew and the Gret Galye; lands in Lee beside Eltham Park, purchased of Barett; 1,000 new bows bought and made within the Tower. He, with a great and chargeable train, passed the seas in person to Calais and Boulogne. He has newly builded Hampton Court; the place at Westminster with the tennis plays and cockfight, and walled the park with a sumptuous wall; and St. James in the Fields, a magnificent and goodly house. He has purchased the manors of Donnyngton, Ewelme, Hoknorton, and other, of the Duke of Suffolk (age 52). He has made a great deal of new ordnance of brass here in England. He has newly edified a great part of the walls of Calais. He has newly made a quantity of new ordnance in Calais. He has most costly wars in Scotland, and has had great wars in Ireland. He has borne most costly charge at the coronation of queen Anne. He has maintained the great and sumptuous house of the lady Catharine Dowager. [He has also maintained a great and sumptuous house of the lady Mary ]1
In Cromwell's hand, pp. 4.
Note 1. This sentence is struck out.
On 02 Jun 1537 Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland (age 35) died. His brother [his brother] Thomas Percy (age 33) should have succeeded but he had been attainted.
On 16 Apr 1572 [his former wife] Mary Talbot Countess Northumberland died.
Letters 1536. 23 April. Anstis' Order of the Garter. ii. 398. 715. The Garter.
On St. George's Day, 23 April 28 Henry VIII., a chapter of the Order of the Garter was held at Greenwich, at which were present the King, the Dukes of Richmond and Norfolk, the Earls of Northumberland, Westmoreland, Wiltshire, Sussex, Rutland, and Oxford, lord Sandys, and Sir William Fitzwilliam. It was determined to hold the feast on May 21, the Earl of Northumberland taking the Sovereign's place, assisted by the Earls of Rutland, Westmoreland, and Oxford, and Sir William Fitzwilliam. Votes were taken for the election of a knight; and the next day, after mass for the dead, the King declared Sir Nicholas Carew elected. He was installed when the feast was kept, on May 21. On this occasion the Earl of Northumberland was seized with vertigo and weakness, so that it was feared he would not be able to take his part as deputy, but he recovered. The next day the hatchments of the deceased were offered up. Lat.
Spanish Chronicle Chapter 26. Percy did not forget it; and one night before the King returned the old woman called Mark whilst the ladies were dancing, and Percy was on the look-out, but Mark, seeing him watching, was clever enough to return to the dance instead of going with the old woman, so Percy discovered nothing that night. The next morning the Queen sent for Mark, and as soon as Percy knew that he was in the chamber he went to Secretary Cromwell and told him what he had seen the night before, and how he was now playing in the Queen's chamber. Cromwell said, "Hold thy tongue for the present, Percy; the King is coming tomorrow, and the next day is May-day, when the jousts will be held, and I will find out a way to discover the truth."1
Note 1. The writer, all through the incident, makes Mark Smeaton the principal figure, and there is no doubt that his account is an accurate reproduction of the popular impressions current in London at the time. I have not met elsewhere with so minute a relation of the circumstances of the miserable affair. How true or how false the allegations may have been must be now for ever surmise alone, but it is known that the so-called confession was wrung from the poor lad, Mark Smeaton, on a positive promise of pardon, and his subsequent execution was a convenient way of closing his mouth for ever against retractation or recantation. It is uncertain whether Sir [his brother] Thomas Percy, who was beheaded in 1537, is referred to, or his brother Henry, Earl of Northumberland, whose betrothal to Anne before her marriage, and his continued love for her, brought his head into great danger, and whose fainting with emotion in court during the trial cast renewed suspicion upon him. If Northumberland IS referred to, it might well be that, still in love, though hopelessly, with Anne, he would be madly jealous of a low upstart Mark Smeaton, whom he suspected of receiving the favours of the Queen.
Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 10 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Neville 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 3rd Earl March, Earl Ulster
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 5th Countess Ulster
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster
GrandFather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Poynings 3rd Baron Poynings
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Poynings 4th Baron Poynings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Grey Baroness Poynings 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Poynings 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 3rd Baron Grey Ruthyn 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Grey Baroness Poynings 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Ros Baroness Grey Ruthyn
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Rich Berkeley 8th and 3rd Baron Berkeley
3 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Clivedon Baroness Berkeley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Berkeley Countess Arundel 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bettershorne
Father: Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert
Great x 1 Grandfather: William "Black William" Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandfather: Llewellyn Brecon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Dafydd Gam Brecon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon
GrandMother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux
5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Crophull 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury
Henry Percy 6th Earl of Northumberland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Robert Spencer of Spencer Combe
Mother: Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Giles "Payne" Roet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 10th Earl Arundel 8th Earl Surrey
5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 12th Earl Warwick 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Groby
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Ferrers Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Percy Baroness Ferrers Groby
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 9th and 4th Baron Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 10th and 5th Baron Berkeley, Baron Lisle 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Despencer Baroness Berkeley
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Warin Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle
6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Lisle Baroness Berkeley 3rd Baroness Lisle 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Pipard Baroness Lisle