Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset

Also known as: Thomas Greie marquesse Dorcet / Thomas Grey, Marquess Dorset / Thomas marquesse Dorset / lord Thomas Greie / lord Thomas marquesse Dorset / marques Dorset / marques Dorsset / marquesse Dorset / sir Thomas Graie · Family: Woodville · Role: marquess · First appears: Edward IV 4

Thomas Grey was the son of John Grey and Elizabeth Woodville. In 1465, Edward IV created him Marquess Dorset, and he married Cecily Bonville. He became an enemy of Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, standing among those who murdered him after Edward IV struck him, and received great rewards from Louis XI. Around 1475, Edward IV knighted him alongside Richard Grey, and the same day created him Marquess Dorset.

Since the beginning of Richard III’s reign, Thomas remained in sanctuary, where Thomas Lovell helped preserve his life. Around 1483 he came out, raised forces in Yorkshire, and began open war against his “mortall enimie” Richard III, allied with Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham and other opponents. After the rising failed, he fled by sea to Brittany, while John Scrope, Lord Scrope later had him indicted for high treason.

At Paris, Elizabeth Woodville urged Thomas to leave Henry VII and return to England for promised honours. Instead, he secretly departed toward Flanders; Humphrey Cheney caught him near Campeigne and persuaded him to return to his companions. At Rouen, Henry VII, having borrowed money, left Thomas and John Bourchier as pledges or hostages.