Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester

Also known as: Sir Thomas Persie earle of Worcester / Thomas Percie / Thomas Persie / Thomas Persie earle of Worcester / Thomas earle of Worcester / earle of Worcester / lord Thomas Persie / sir Thomas Percie / sir Thomas Persie the yoonger / vncle Thomas Persie · Family: England · Role: brother of Henry Percy · First appears: Richard II 2

In c. 1378, Thomas Percy stood as brother to Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who recaptured a castle from the Scots. In 1379, Thomas became joint admiral with Hugh Calverley, and joined John Arundell, William Elmham, Thomas Morews and Thomas Banester in an expedition toward Brittany that was scattered by a tempest; after the storm, he captured and sold a Spanish vessel. Around 1381, he helped Richard II suppress the Essex rebels, and in 1386 was appointed admiral of the whole fleet. He later served Richard II as an envoy to the French king, became lord steward in 1393, was made warden of Bordeaux and Aquitaine, joined the king’s expedition to Ireland, and in 1398 was created Earl of Worcester.

Around 1399, after Richard II proclaimed his brother a traitor, Thomas broke the white staff representing his office and went to Henry IV. After Henry IV took the crown, Thomas assisted the king’s young son Thomas of Lancaster in the office of high steward, carried an embassy to France with Walter Skirlaw, and was sent to Guien with troops to aid Robert Knolles. There he restored the cities and commons to English obedience, then returned to England.

By c. 1402, Thomas was acting with Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland and Hotspur against Henry IV, seeking Scottish military aid and promising lands in return. The Percies freed their cousin Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March and allied with Owen Glendower. In c. 1403, Thomas left the household of Henry IV’s son, met Hotspur at Stafford, and helped raise their forces. He and Hotspur spread the report that Richard II was alive, accused Henry IV of taking the crown and causing Richard II’s death, and faced the royal army near Shrewsbury after most of their confederates had abandoned them.