Thomas Percy earl of Worcester

Thomas Percy Worcester, earl of

Thomas Percy Worcester, earl of wŏŏs´tər , c.1344–1403, English nobleman; brother of Henry Percy, 1st earl of Northumberland . He served with considerable success in the wars in France and Spain, especially as admiral of the fleet of the north, a position to which he was appointed in 1378. He also served on several diplomatic missions, heading the English embassy to France to treat for peace in 1392. He was created earl of Worcester by Richard II in 1397. He accompanied Richard to Ireland in 1399 as admiral, but upon their return to England he joined his brother and his nephew, Sir Henry Percy , in supporting the seizure of the throne by Henry IV. Henry confirmed Worcester's past privileges and in 1401 appointed him seneschal (steward), lieutenant of South Wales, and tutor to the prince of Wales (1402). In July, 1403, Worcester surprised the king by joining his kinsmen in open revolt against the crown. Captured in the subsequent battle of Shrewsbury, Worcester was beheaded.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Thomas Percy Worcester, earl of." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Thomas Percy Worcester, earl of." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WorcesTP.html

"Thomas Percy Worcester, earl of." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WorcesTP.html

Learn more about citation styles

Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of

Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of (c.1344–1403). The younger brother of the 1st earl of Northumberland, Percy had a distinguished career in the French war from 1369 to 1388, interrupted by service on the Scottish border, at sea, and in John of Gaunt's expedition to Spain. From 1390 he held office in Richard II's household and was rewarded with the title of earl and a share of the spoils for his part in the destruction of the king's enemies. In 1399, however, he abandoned Richard in favour of Henry IV and served as admiral, ambassador, and lieutenant in south Wales; for a while he was apparently Henry's principal noble councillor. As the Beauforts and Nevilles gained royal favour, Percy influence was threatened, and this helped to explain why Worcester joined Henry Percy's rebellion: as in 1399, his first loyalty was to his family. He was beheaded after the battle of Shrewsbury.

R. L. Storey

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-WorcesterThomasPrcy1strlf.html

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-WorcesterThomasPrcy1strlf.html

Learn more about citation styles

Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of

Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of (c.1344–1403). The younger brother of the 1st earl of Northumberland, Percy had a distinguished career in the French war from 1369 to 1388. From 1390 he held office in Richard II's household and was rewarded with the title of earl and a share of the spoils for his part in the destruction of the king's enemies. In 1399, however, he abandoned Richard in favour of Henry IV and served as admiral, ambassador, and lieutenant in south Wales. As the Beauforts and Nevilles gained royal favour, Percy influence was threatened, and this helped to explain why Worcester joined Henry Percy's rebellion. He was beheaded after the battle of Shrewsbury.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-WorcesterThomasPrcy1strlf.html

JOHN CANNON. "Worcester, Thomas Percy, 1st earl of." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-WorcesterThomasPrcy1strlf.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

The site of war; The battle of Shrewsbury was made famous by the Bard. Chris...
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 7/10/2009
Midlands millennium: Conflict that changed the course of history; The Battle...
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 3/6/1999
Catholic dissent in Wales.(Features)
Newspaper article from: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales); 9/27/2010

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Worcester, Thomas Percy, earl of