Thomas Montacute, Earl of Salisbury

Thomas Monteacute was a member of the highest English aristocracy, and was the most famous and skillful captain on the English side during the Hundred Years War. He is a typical representative of feudal nobility which made their wealth through military service.

Thomas’ father John, the third earl, was executed in 1400 as a supporter of Richard II (r.1377-1399), but nevertheless Thomas was granted part of his father's estates, including his chief residence of Bisham Manor in Berkshire, and summoned to parliament in 1409, though not fully restored till 1421. He also increased his possessions by marrying Eleanor, fourth daughter of Thomas Holland, the 2nd Earl of Kent, and co-heiress of her brother, Edmund Holland, 4th Earl (1384-1408), on 13th May 1399.

Thomas was made a Knight of the Garter in 1414, and have started his military career the next year by engaging in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). He served with increasing distinction, and have received for his efforts the Lordship of Auvilliers in 1417, the grant of Neubourg and two other lordships, and was made Warden of the New Forest, Lieutenant and Warden of Evreux and Alençon in 1418. In 1419 Thomas was appointed Lieutenant-General of Normandy and was created Earl of Perche. In 1423 he was appointed governor of Champagne.

For the rest of his life Thomas continued campaigning in France and was finally shot with a cannon ball while surveying the siege of Orleans from a window of Tourelles on 27 October 1428. His face was grievously wounded, and he succumb to his wounds in Meung on 3rd November.