Thomas Percy 7th earl of Northumberland

Thomas Percy Northumberland, 7th earl of 1528-72, English nobleman. He was the nephew and heir of the childless 6th earl but did not succeed on the latter's death (1537) because his father had been attainted for participation in the Pilgrimage of Grace (1536). He finally received the title from Queen Mary I in 1557 and was entrusted with the protection of the Scottish borders, but he lost this position after the accession of the Protestant Elizabeth I. In conjunction with the earl of Westmorland he plotted (1569) with the Spanish to restore Roman Catholicism to England and to release Mary Queen of Scots. They gathered an army, but it was defeated (1569). Northumberland was captured by the Scots, ransomed (1572) to the English, and beheaded.

Northumberland, Thomas Percy, 7th earl of (1528–72). Thomas Percy was restored in blood in 1549, and in 1557, after helping to suppress a rising in the north, was created earl of Northumberland by Mary. He was made warden of the east march in 1558 and given the Garter in 1563. But in 1569 he joined in the rising of the northern earls, which captured Durham and celebrated mass in the cathedral. On the collapse of the rebellion, he was beheaded at York in 1572.

Northumberland, Thomas Percy, 7th earl of (1528–72). Percy's uncle, the 6th earl of Northumberland, died in June 1537 at the age of 35, it was said of grief at the execution of Anne Boleyn; his father Sir Thomas Percy died the same month, executed for his part in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Thomas Percy was restored in blood in 1549, and in 1557, after helping to suppress a rising in the north, was created earl of Northumberland by Mary. He was made warden of the east march in 1558 and given the Garter in 1563. But in 1569 he joined with the earl of Westmorland in the rising of the northern earls, which captured Durham and celebrated mass in the cathedral. On the collapse of the rebellion, he fled to Scotland but was handed back and beheaded at York in 1572.

J. A. Cannon