Biography of Thomas Harrington 1400-1460

Paternal Family Tree: Harrington

Maternal Family Tree: Katherine Norwich 1306-1381

1431 French Coronation of Henry VI

1448 Battle of Sark

1459 Battle of Blore Heath

1460 Battle of Wakefield

1465 Capture of King Henry VI

Around 1400 Thomas Harrington was born to William Harrington (age 27) and Margaret Neville (age 44).

In 1419 Thomas Harrington (age 19) and Elizabeth Dacre (age 11) were married. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Around 1424 [his son] John Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington (age 24) and [his wife] Elizabeth Dacre (age 16).

After Mar 1424 Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford (age 9) and [his sister-in-law] Joan Dacre Baroness Clifford were married. She by marriage Baroness de Clifford. He the son of John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford and Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland (age 29). They were third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Around 1430 [his son] James Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington (age 30) and [his wife] Elizabeth Dacre (age 22).

French Coronation of Henry VI

On 16 Dec 1431 Henry VI (age 10) was crowned II King France: Lancaster at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map] by Cardinal Henry Beaufort (age 56). A somewhat futile exercise; the last gasps of the Hundred Years War. The ceremony had been arranged by John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford (age 42). His wife Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford (age 27) attended.

Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford (age 53) was appointed Carver.

Thomas Harrington (age 31), Richard Archer (age 44), Hugh Courtenay 12th Earl Devon and his son Thomas (age 17) attended.

Around 1433 [his daughter] Joan Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington (age 33) and [his wife] Elizabeth Dacre (age 25).

On 22 Feb 1440 [his father] William Harrington (age 67) died at Hornby Castle [Map]. He was buried at Urswick, Cumberland.

In 1443 [his mother] Margaret Neville (age 87) died at Hornby Castle [Map].

On 15 Jan 1448 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Dacre (age 38) died.

Battle of Sark

On 23 Oct 1448 Hugh Douglas 1st Earl Ormonde commanded at during the Battle of Sark inflicting a heavy defeat on the English forces. Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 27) and Thomas Harrington (age 48) were captured. Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland (age 55) escaped.

In 1449 Thomas Harrington (age 49) was knighted at Aldingham.

In 1452 [his sister-in-law] Margaret Dacre (age 28) died.

On or before 08 Jul 1453 [his sister-in-law] Joan Dacre Baroness Clifford died.

In 1456 Thomas Harrington (age 56) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

In 1459 [his brother-in-law] Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 47) was created 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland.

Battle of Blore Heath

On 23 Sep 1459 John Dudley 1st Baron Dudley (age 58) attempted to ambush John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 28) whilst he was travelling to Ludlow [Map] to join up with the main Yorkist army; the Battle of Blore Heath. Forewarned by scouts he arranged his troops into battle order. The Yorkist army included John Conyers (age 48), Thomas Harrington (age 59), [his son] James Harrington (age 29), Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 59), William Stanley (age 24), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 26), John Savile, Walter Strickland (age 48) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 59).

The Lancastrian army included brothers John Dutton, Thomas Dutton (age 38) and Peter Dutton who were killed.

James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet (age 61) was killed by Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 26). His son John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 33) succeeded 6th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 3rd Baron Tuchet. Anne Echingham Baroness Audley Heighley (age 39) by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire.

John Dudley 1st Baron Dudley (age 58) and Edmund Dudley (age 34) were captured. Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 53) fought.

Richard Molyneux of Sefton was killed.

John Egerton (age 55) was killed.

After the battle Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 29) took refuge at Eccleshall Castle, Staffordshire [Map].

After the battle Thomas Harrington (age 59), John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 28) and Thomas Neville (age 29) were captured at Acton Bridge Tarporley [Map] and imprisoned at Chester Castle [Map] having been detached from the main Yorkist force.

William Troutbeck (age 23) was killed.

Chronicle of Gregory 1459. 23 Sep 1459. Ande thys yere was done a grete jornaye at the Blowre Hethe by the Erle of Saulysbury (age 59) ande the Quenys galentys. And that day the kynge made vij knyghtys, fyrste, Syr Robert Molyners, Syr John Daune, Syr Thomas Uttyng, Syr John Brembly, Syr Jon Stanley, Syr John Grysly, and Syr Rychard Hardon; and v of thes knyghtys were slayne fulle manly in the fylde, and many men of yemonry soore hurte, and a fulle nobylle knyght, the Lorde Audeley (age 61), and Syr Thomas Hamdon, knyght, was the getynge of the fylde, and Thomas Squyer and Counteroller of the Pryncys house fulle sore hurte. And [the] batayle or jornay lastyd alle the aftyr none, fro one of the clocke tylle v aftyr non, and the chasse lastyd unto vij at the belle in the mornynge. And men were maymyd many one in the Quenys party. There were in the Quenys party vM [Note. 5000], and in that othyr party vC [Note. 500], a grete wondyr that evyr they myght stonde the grete multytude not ferynge, the kynge beyng with yn x myle and the quene (age 29) with yn v myle at the castelle of Egyllyssale [Map]. But the Erle of Saulysbury (age 59) hadde ben i-take, save only a Fryer Austyn schot gonnys [Note. shot guns] alle that nyght in a parke that was at the backe syde of the fylde, and by thys mene the erle come to Duke of Yorke (age 48). And in the morowe they founde nothyr man ne ehylde in that parke but the fryer, and he sayde that for fere he a-bode in that parke alle that nyght. But in the mornyng, by-twyne the fylde and Chester, Syr John Dawne ys sone that was at home in hys fadyrs place hadde worde that hys fadyr was slayne; a-non he raysyd hys tenantys and toke by-syde a lytyl towne i-namyd Torperlay [Map] Syr Thomas Nevyle (age 29), Syr John Nevyle (age 28), and Syr Thomas Haryngdon (age 59), and brought hem unto the castelle of Chester, ande there they a-boode tylle the batayle of Northehampton was done, &c.

Chronicle of Gregory 1460. Then the Quene (age 30) havynge knowelechynge of thys praty whyle sche sende unto the Duke of Somersett (age 24), at that tyme beynge in Dorset schyre at the Castelle of Corffe [Map], and for the Erle of Devyschyre (age 28), and for Elysaundyr Hody, and prayde hem to com to hyr as hastely as they myght, with hyr tenantys as stronge in hyr harnys as men of warre, for the Lorde Rosse (age 33), the Lorde Clyfforde (age 25), the Baron of Grestocke (age 46), the Lorde Nevyle (age 50), the Lorde Latymer (age 53), were waytyng a-pon the Duke of Excete[r] (age 30) to mete with hyr at Hulle [Map]. And thys mater was not taryd but fulle prevely i-wrought; and she sende letters unto alle hyr ehyffe offycers that they wold doo the same, and that they shulde warne alle the servantys that lovyd hyr or purposyd to kepe and rejoyse hyr of Yysce, to wayte a-pon hyr at Hulle by that day as hit a-poyntyd by hyr. Alle thes pepylle were gaderyd and conveyde so prevely that they wer hole in nombyr of xvM [Note. 15000] or any man wolde be-leve hyt; in so moche yf any man sayde, or tolde, or talkyd of suche gaderyng, he shulde be schende, and sum were in grete donger, for the comyn pepylle sayde by thoo that tolde the, troughthe, "Ye talke ryght ye wolde hit were," and gave noo credens of hyr sayynge. But the laste the lordys purposyd to knowe the troughthe. And the ix day of December nexte folowyng the Duke of Yorke (age 49), the Erle of Salysbury (age 60), the Erle Rutlond (age 17) (he was the Duke of Yorke ys secunde sone, one the beste dysposyd lorde in thys londe), and Syr Thomas Haryngdon (age 60), whythe many mo knyghtys and quyers and grete pepylle with hem, and soo departyd owte of London towarde Yorke, &c.

On 30 Dec 1460 the Lancastrian army took their revenge for the defeats of the First Battle of St Albans and the Battle of Northampton during the at Sandal Castle [Map]. The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset (age 24) and Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), and included John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 25) and William Gascoigne XIII (age 30), both knighted, and James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford (age 25), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 50), Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), Henry Roos and Thomas St Leger (age 20).

The Yorkist army was heavily defeated.

Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke York (age 49) was killed. His son King Edward IV of England (age 18) succeeded 4th Duke York, 7th Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke York (age 49), 9th Earl Ulster, 3rd Earl Cambridge.

Thomas Neville (age 30), and Edward Bourchier were killed.

Father and son Thomas Harrington (age 60) and [his son] John Harrington (age 36) were killed, the former dying of his wounds the day after.

William Bonville 6th Baron Harington (age 18) was killed. His daughter Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset succeeded 7th Baroness Harington.

Thomas Parr (age 53) fought in the Yorkist army.

Following the battle Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 60) was beheaded by Thomas "Bastard of Exeter" Holland. William Bonville (age 40) was executed.

Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland (age 17) was killed on Wakefield Bridge [Map] by John "Butcher" Clifford (age 25) by which he gained his sobriquet "Butcher". Earl of Rutland extinct.

Chronicle of Gregory 1460. 30 Dec 1460. Ande the same yere, the xxx [30] day of December, the Duke of Exceter (age 30), the Duke of Somersett (age 24), the Erle of Northehomberlond (age 39), the Lorde Roos (age 33), the Lorde Nevyle (age 50), the Lorde ClyfForde (age 25), with many mo lordys, knyghtys, squyers, and gentyllys, and the commyns of the Quenys party, met with the Duke of Yorke (age 49) at Wakefylde [Map], and there they made a grete jorney a-pon the Lorde and Duke of Yorke, and toke hym and the Erle of Saulysbury (age 60), the Erle of Rutlond (age 17), and the Lorde Haryngdon (age 18), and Syr Thomas Nevyle (age 30), and Syr Thomas Haryngdon (age 60), and many mo knyghtys were take a slayne by syde alle the comyns. But thys good Duke of Yorke with hys lordys a-fore sayde loste hyr heddys; God have marcy on there soulys, for they loste in that jorneys the nombyr of xxvc [2500] men. And in the Quenys party were slay but ii c [200] men, &c.

Capture of King Henry VI

Warkworth's Chronicle 1465. 29 Jun 1465. Also the same yere, Kynge Herry was takene bysyde a howse of religione in Lancaschyre, by the mene of a blacke monke of Abyngtone1, in a wode called Cletherwode, besyde Bungerly Hyppyngstones2, by Thomas Talbott3,4, sonne and heyre to Sere Edmunde Talbot of Basshalle, and Jhon Talbott his cosyne of Colebry6, withe other moo, whiche disseyvide7, beyngne at his dynere at Wadyngtone Halle8, and caryed to Londone on horse bake, and his lege bownde to the styrope9, and so brought thrugh Londone to the Toure, where he was kepte longe tyme by two squyres and ij. yomen of the crowne, and ther menne, and every manne was suffred to come and speke withe hym, by licence of the kepers,

Note 1. A blacke monke of Abyngtone. In the curious fragment printed by Hearne, at the end of the Chronicle of Sprottus, we are informed that William Cantlow was the name of this rascal. Henry's capture, in the MS. No 5, in the College of Arms, is placed under the year 1465:- "Hoc et anno, circiter festum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, captus est Henricus Sextus, nuper Rex Anglie, du[c]tus et publice per Chepam Londonie, cum aliis secum captis; ductus usque ad Turrim Londonie, ibique honorifice commendatus custodie mansit. [During this year, around the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Henry VI, the former King of England, was captured, led publicly through Cheapside in London, along with others captured with him; he was taken to the Tower of London, where he remained in custody with honorable commendation.]" Fol. 170, vo,

Note 2. Bungerley Hyppyngstones. This was a ford, obtained by stepping-stones, across the river Ribble. - J.G.N.

Note 3. Thomas Talbott, sonne and heyre to Sere Edmund Talbot of Basshalle. Sir Edmund Talbot, of Bashall, in the parish of Mitton, co. York, died in the 1st Edw. IV. His son, Sir Thomas, was then under age (pedigree in Whitaker's History of Craven, 2d edit. 1812, p. 25); but there can be little doubt that, before his traitorous achievement, he had married Alice, daughter of Sir John Tempest, of Bracewell, under whose protection the unfortunate King was then living. Beside the present reward mentioned in the ensuing note, Sir Thomas Talbot appears to have received a grant of a yearly pension of £40, which was confirmed by Richard III. (pedigree, as above). He survived to the 13th Hen. VII. His father-in-law, Sir John Tempest, was Sheriff of Yorkshire in 18 and 37 Henry VI. (see pedigree of Tempest in Whitaker's Craven, p. 80.) - J.G.N.

Note 4. Thomas Talbott. In the Issue Rolls of the Exchequer of 5 Edw. IV. are the statements of monies paid to this gentleman and others for taking Henry, late de facto et non de jure King of England. It appears that Sir James Haryngton and Sir John Tempest were also concerned in the capture; but the fact of Sir Thomas Talbot being the chief actor is confirmed by the amount of their relative rewards, he receiving £100 and they each 100 marks. Their "costs and charges," amounting to 100 marks, were also paid. John Levesey also received a reward of £20, and William Rogers of Serne and David Colinley, valets of the King's chamber, together £6 13s 4d. On the 9th of July 1465, Edward, in consideration of “magnam et laboriosam diligentiam suam circa captionem et retinentiam magni proditoris, rebellis, et inimici nostri Henrici nuper vocati Regis Henrici Sexti, per ipsum Jacobum factum [his great and laborious diligence in the capture and retention of the great traitor, rebel, and our enemy, Henry, formerly called King Henry VI, was done by James himself]," gave to Sir James Haryngton a grant of Thurland Castle and other lands, formerly belonging to Richard Tunstell5, a partizan of Henry. - Fœdera, XI. 548.

My ancestor, Sir James Haryngton, did once take prisoner, with his party, this poor prince; for which the House of York did graunt him a parcel of lands in the northern counties, and which he was fool enough to lose again, after the battle of Bosworth, when King Henry the Seventh came to the crown." - Haryngton's Nuga Antiquæ, by T. Park, vol. II. pp. 385–86. Cf. Rot. Parl. V. 584, and Devon's Issue Rolls of the Exchequer, p. 489.

Sir [his son] James Harrington (age 35) was of Brierley near Barnsley; a younger brother of Sir [his son] John Harrington, of Hornby, who had fallen on the Yorkists ' side at the battle of Wakefield in 1460; their father, Sir Thomas, dying also of his wounds the day after the same battle. Sir James had, in 6 Edw. IV. a grant of £340 from the issues of the county of York. Both he and his younger brother, Sir [his son] Robert Harrington, were attainted after the battle of Bosworth in 1 Hen. VII. See further respecting him in Hunter's Deanery of Doncaster, vol. ii. p. 403; to which it may be added that it is probably of him that Leland speaks: "There was a younger brother of the Haryngtons that had in gifte Horneby Castelle [Map]." (Itin. viii. f. 109 a.), that is, he had it for a time to the prejudice of his nieces, the heirs of his elder brother. - J.G.N.

Note 5. The great extent of these possessions may be seen in the Great Roll of the Pipe for 1 Edw. IV. com. Westmorland.

Note 6. Jhon Talbott his cosyne of Colebry. That is, of Salesbury, in the parish of Blackburn, co. Lancaster; see Whitaker's Whalley, 3d edit. 1818, p. 432. A yearly fee of twenty marks was granted by King Edward in consideration of the good and faithful service of Johannes Talbot de Salebury, Esq. "in captura magni adversarii sui Henrici [in the capture of his great adversary, Henry.]," until he received a grant of lands or tenements to the like value; and the same annuity was confirmed to his son Sir John Talbot, of Salebury, by King Richard the Third. See the grant of the confirmation, dated at York 6th June 1484, printed in Baines's History of Lancashire, vol. i. p. 421.—J.G.N.

Note 7. whiche disseyvide. i e. which King Henry, deceived.

Note 8. Wadyngtone Hall. Waddington is a chapelry within the parish of Mitton, little more than a mile from Bashall. It had belonged to the Tempests of Bracewell from the time of Edward I. Dr. Whitaker says (Hist. of Craven, p. 25), “Waddington Hall, though constructed of strong old masonry, has nearly lost all appearance of antiquity. But one room contains the name of King Henry's chamber." In the History of Whalley, p. 473, will be seen an etching of the ruins. At Bracewell also, (which is now likewise in ruins,) in the older stone portion of the house, "is an apartment called King Henry's Parlour; undoubtedly one of the retreats of Henry VI." (Ibid. p. 82.) At Bolton, in the same neighbourhood, after describing a very ancient hall, and its canopy over the high table, Dr. Whitaker adds, "In this very hall, and probably under the same canopy, that unhappy monarch ate the bread of affliction during a retreat, as it is reported by tradition, of several months. An adjoining well retains the name of King Harry, who is said to have directed it to be dug and walled, in its present shape, for a cold bath." It is at Bolton where there are still preserved three relics of King Henry, a boot, a glove, and a spoon; figures of which are engraved in the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1785, and again in the History of Craven, p. 106. The boot and glove are remarkably small, and show, in Dr. Whitaker's words, that "in an age when the habits of the great, in peace as well as war, required perpetual exertions of bodily strength, this unhappy prince must have been equally contemptible from corporeal and from mental imbecility." - J.G.N.

Note 9. His lege bownde to the styrope. One author, and as far as I have been able to find he is the only authority for it, says, that Henry was immediately cast into chains. - Matthæi Palmesii Pisani Continuatio Chronici Eusebiani, ed. Venetiis, 1483, fol. 155, vº. According to some writers, Henry's two religious friends, Drs. Manning and Bedle, were the only companions of his misfortunes. - Cf. Monstrelet, IV. 182.

On 08 Apr 1485 [his former wife] Elizabeth Dacre (age 77) died.

[his daughter] Katherine Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington and Elizabeth Dacre.

[his father] William Harrington and [his mother] Margaret Neville were married.

[his daughter] Agnes Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington and Elizabeth Dacre.

[his daughter] Margaret Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington and Elizabeth Dacre.

John Scrope and Margaret Dacre were married. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

[his son] Robert Harrington was born to Thomas Harrington and Elizabeth Dacre.

Thomas Dacre and Elizabeth Bowett were married. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England.

Royal Descendants of Thomas Harrington 1400-1460

Queen Consort Camilla Shand x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 4

Ancestors of Thomas Harrington 1400-1460

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington 1st Baron Harington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cansfield

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Cansfield

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Harrington of Farleton

Great x 2 Grandmother: Juliana Barlingham

GrandFather: Nicholas Harrington of Hornby

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Banastre

Father: William Harrington

GrandMother: Isabel English

Thomas Harrington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fitzrobert aka Neville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Neville

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Monmouth

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Neville

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Neville

GrandFather: Robert Neville

Mother: Margaret Neville

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Pole

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Pole

GrandMother: Margaret Pole

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Norwich

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Norwich