Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Percy,_6th_Earl_of_Northumberland

Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland (1502–1537) was the son of Henry Algernon Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland. He is primarily remembered as the betrothed of Anne Boleyn, whom he was forced to give up before she became involved with King Henry VIII. Anne's purported anger and resentment over this have become the stuff of many novels and films about her life.

Henry, Lord Percy, became betrothed to Anne Boleyn, the future second queen of King Henry, probably in the spring of 1523, when he was page to Cardinal Wolsey. On hearing the news, the Cardinal scolded Lord Percy before his servants, since permission for the marriage had not been sought from his father nor from the King, who had an interest due to the importance of the Northumberland earldom. In fact, Henry's father refused permission, and he was quickly married to Lady Mary Talbot (daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury). This proved to be an unhappy union without issue. Mary later sought a divorce, citing her husband's precontract with Anne.

As one of the premier Earls, Henry was a member of the jury that convicted Queen Anne of adultery. The charges are generally believed to have been fabricated by the Queen's enemies. Henry himself fainted following his 'guilty' vote and had to be carried out. He was absent for the subsequent trial of George Boleyn, the Queen's brother, who according to the charges had had an incestuous affair with his sister.

Henry died the following year, after spending his inheritance lavishly and transferring various estates to friends, since he had chosen to disinherit his Percy relations as much as possible. He bequeathed the remainder of his estates to the Crown. The Earldom of Northumberland passed to his nephew Thomas Percy

Henry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland (1502–1537), was the son of Henry Algernon Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland. He is primarily remembered as the betrothed of Anne Boleyn, whom he was forced to give up before she became involved with King Henry VIII. Anne's purported anger and resentment over this have become the stuff of many novels and films about her life.

Henry, Lord Percy, became betrothed to Anne Boleyn, the future second queen of King Henry, probably in the spring of 1523, when he was page to Cardinal Wolsey. On hearing the news, the Cardinal scolded Lord Percy before his servants, since permission for the marriage had not been sought from his father nor from the King, who had an interest due to the importance of the Northumberland earldom. In fact, Henry's father refused permission, and he was quickly married to Lady Mary Talbot (daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury). This proved to be an unhappy union without issue. Mary later sought a divorce, citing her husband's precontract with Anne.

As one of the premier Earls, Henry was a member of the jury that convicted Queen Anne of adultery. The charges are generally believed to have been fabricated by the Queen's enemies. Henry himself fainted following his 'guilty' vote and had to be carried out. He was absent for the subsequent trial of George Boleyn, the Queen's brother, who according to the charges had had an incestuous affair with his sister.

Henry died the following year, after spending his inheritance lavishly and transferring various estates to friends, since he had chosen to disinherit his Percy relations as much as possible. He bequeathed the remainder of his estates to the Crown. The Earldom of Northumberland passed to his nephew Thomas Percy.

Peerage of England

Preceded by

Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland

1527–1537 Succeeded by

Thomas Percy

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