Henry Percy, 1st earl of Northumberland

Henry Percy, 1st earl of Northumberland, was an English statesman and leading figure during the reigns of England’s Richard II (r. 1377-1399) and Henry IV (r. 1399-1413).

By the age of 18 Percy already led English troops in France and was a warden of the Scottish marches two years later. In 1376 he became marshal of England and in the next year was created earl of Northumberland. He served Richard II in military, diplomatic, and administrative capacities but after 1398 he supported the duke of Hereford (afterward Henry IV) and took a prominent part in Richard’s abdication.

Percy remained prominent member of the privy council but the Scottish wars in 1400–03, however, gradually turned him against the king. Percy was unsatisfied with king’s financing of the war and of being deprived of ransoms his Scottish prisoners. Percy rebelled against Richard but the result was beheading of his son and his brother in 1403. Percy reconciled with Richard but in 1405 he rebelled again. He was slain in the Battle of Bramham Moor on 19 February 1408.

At the height of his power Percy was worth about £30,000, about 1% of net national income, which would make them worth about £11bn in 2010.