Henry Percy, 9th earl of Northumberland

Henry Percy, 9th earl of Northumberland, also known as “Wizard Earl” because of his interest in alchemy, was an English nobleman and landowner.

In 1585, on his father's death, he succeeded to the earldom of Northumberland, and settled in London at the family residence near St. Andrew's Hill, Blackfriars. He served as justice of the peace for Sussex, Cumberland, Westmorland, Northumberland, and the North, East, and West Ridings of Yorkshire, but neglected his duties and declined to take part in repressing border warfare. Percy served as a volunteer under the Earl of Leicester in the Low Countries in 1585-6, and in 1588 in the fleet sent against the Spanish armada. In 1593 he was installed a Knight of the Garter.

In 1606 Percy was arrested and tried for involved in the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up Parliament and King James I, his queen, and his oldest son on November 5, 1605. He was sentenced to life in the Tower but was released 16 years later. During his life in the Tower he had certain comfort such as library in his cell, a small court of scientists and children in daily attendance and many other comforts.

On his death Northumberland was worth £350,000, representing about 1.16% of net national income at the time, which would have made him worth £12.8bn in 2010.