Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland Timeline 1502-1537

Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland, was born to Henry Algernon Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland and Catherine Spencer in Nottingham. He was the couple’s second child, his sister, Margaret had been born around 1500.

Henry Percy’s father was made Warden of the East Marches.

Percy’s father was chosen to be one of those escorting Margaret Tudor to Scotland for her marriage to King James IV.

Henry’s brother, Thomas, was born to Henry Algernon Percy and Catherine Spencer.

Henry’s brother, Ingelram, was born to Henry Algernon Percy and Catherine Spencer.

King Henry VII died. He was succeeded by his son, King Henry VIII.

Percy’s father joined Henry VIII’s invasion of France. Serving as a Grand Captain.

Henry’s father made an arrangement with George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, for him to marry Mary Talbot. A date for the wedding was not set.

Henry Percy was knighted by the King.

Percy was given a place in the household of Thomas Wolsey. He was frequently at court and helped entertain the King when he visited Wolsey’s properties.

Anne Boleyn returned to England from France because her father was negotiating for her to marry James Butler, Earl of Ormond.

Anne Boleyn, aged 15 years was given a place in Catherine of Aragon’s household after marriage negotiations for her to marry James Butler broke down.

Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn began a secret relationship.

Henry Percy was made a member of the Council in the North.

Percy was made Deputy Warden of the East Marches.

Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn made an agreement to marry as soon as they were able.

Thomas Wolsey discovered that Henry Percy had made a secret betrothal to Anne Boleyn. Percy, who was already betrothed to Mary Talbot, was forbidden to see Anne Boleyn and sent back to Northumberland to marry Mary Talbot. Anne was sent home to Hever Castle. She was very angry and swore to seek revenge on Wolsey.

Henry Percy was forced to marry Lady Mary Talbot. The marriage was an unhappy one from the start.

Henry Percy became 6th Earl of Northumberland after his father died.

Anne Boleyn had begun a relationship with King Henry VIII. She had accepted Henry’s proposal to marry as soon as he was divorced from Catherine.

Percy was made a steward of Holderness.

Henry became Lord Warden of the East and West Marches.

Henry Percy’s marriage to Mary Talbot had irretrievably broken down. Percy was outraged by his father-in-law’s suspicion that he might poison Mary and the couple separated soon afterwards.

Mary Talbot was delivered of a stillborn child.

Henry Percy was sent a warrant for the arrest of Thomas Wolsey. He was instructed to arrest Wolsey and bring him to London.

Thomas Wolsey had been taken ill on the journey south and he died at 8 am at the Abbey of St Mary in Leicester.

Henry Percy was made a Knight of the Garter.

Henry became a privy councillor.

Percy was made High Sheriff of Northumberland.

Percy’s wife, Mary Talbot, sought an annulment of their marriage on the grounds that Percy had a pre-contract with Anne Boleyn. Percy was summoned before Henry VIII. He denied the existence of any such pre-contract and the petition for an annulment was thrown out.

Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen consort of England in St Peter’s Abbey, Westminster.

A daughter, Elizabeth, was born to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She was named after Henry’s mother.

In poor health, and with no children to follow him, Percy decided to make the King his heir.

Henry Percy was created Lord President of the Council of the North.

Catherine of Aragon died. It was commonly believed that Anne Boleyn had slowly poisoned her to death. Nowadays it is believed that she died from cancer.

Anne Boleyn miscarried of a son four months into her pregnancy. The child was badly deformed and Henry saw this as clear evidence of God’s displeasure with the marriage. Anne blamed the miscarriage on concern following Henry’s fall and Henry’s interest in Jane Seymour.

Henry believed that the miscarriage of a son was God’s way of declaring that his marriage to Anne Boleyn was unlawful either because of her earlier pre-contract to James Butler or because of Henry’s affair with Anne’s sister, Mary Boleyn. He decided that he needed to find a way out of his marriage to Anne.

Anne was indicted before a grand jury for treason. She was charged with having committed adultery with Henry Norris, Francis Weston, William Brereton, Mark Smeaton and incest with her brother George Boleyn. It was alleged that George was the father of the deformed baby. Anne was also charged with plotting to murder the King and making fun of him in public.

Henry Percy was one of the 26 peers of the realm who tried the case of Anne Boleyn. Although Anne argued her innocence she was found guilty and sentenced to die by burning or beheading whichever the King chose. George Boleyn was tried by the same court and was also found guilty.

Anne Boleyn was executed by beheading with a single stroke of the sword. She was buried in the choir of the royal chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.

Pilgrimage of Grace
Robert Aske, leader of this protest against the closure of the monasteries, tried to persuade Henry Percy to join the revolt but Percy refused. However, Percy did write to King Henry stating that his health was poor and that he was unable to lead a force against the rebels. Henry’s brother, Thomas, did join the rebellion.

Percy’s brother Thomas was found guilty of treason for taking part in the Pilgrimage of Grace and was hung drawn and quartered at Tyburn.

Henry Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland, died at Newington Green.