Sir Thomas Erpingham, KG, Warden of Cinque Ports

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Erpingham

Sir Thomas Erpingham KG (1357–1428) was an English knight who became famous as the commander of King Henry V of England's archers at the Battle of Agincourt[1][2]. He was immortalised as a character in the play Henry V by William Shakespeare. It is, however, his lengthy and loyal service to John of Gaunt, Henry IV and Henry V, which contributed significantly to the establishment of the House of Lancaster upon the English throne, that is his true legacy.

Erpingham’s career as a soldier

Erpingham’s career as a soldier led him to serve in France during the Hundred Years War, in Spain, in Scotland against the Scots, in Prussia and The Holy Land, and spanned nearly 50 years. Beginning with his service in Aquitaine under the Black Prince in 1368 and concluding with his role at the Battle of Agincourt, his military career was linked with the Lancastrian Dynasty.

Thomas joined John of Gaunt's service in 1380 as an esquire, and was knighted by him. He followed Gaunt to Spain in pursuit of the throne of Castile. After becoming a retainer of Gaunt's, Erpingham served in the Scottish campaign of 1385, against the Duke of Brittany at the relief of Brest in 1385, he fought again in Spain in 1386. In 1390, he joined John of Gaunt's sonHenry Bolingbroke, then simply Earl of Derby, on his crusade to Lithuania to fight with the Teutonic Knights.

In 1392 he again accompanied Henry to Prussia and on from there on a journey through Europe and on to Jerusalem, during which it is thought he obtained the fabric for the Chasuble[3], now in the possession of the Victoria and Albert Museum, during his return through Italy.

Erpingham further demonstrated his loyalty by accompanying Bolingbroke into exile in 1398, entrusting his lands and property to Sir Robert Berney, but when John of Gaunt died in 1399, King Richard II seized the Erpingham estates.

In July 1399, he landed at Ravenspur with Henry Bolingbroke, launching the campaign which led to the latter's seizure of the throne. During the campaign, Erpingham was responsible for the arrest of the Bishop Despenser and the ambush of King Richard II in Wales, taking him to the Tower of London, and was one of the Commissioners who accepted Richard's signed resignation as King.

He was appointed Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of the Cinque Ports on 30 September 1399 (dated by the parliamentary returns for the Cinque Ports he made in reply to the writ dated 30th of September), thus becoming effectively the guardian of the English Channel, which was threatened by invasion from the French King. He was to hold these posts until 1409. He would also briefly hold the posts of Steward of the Household (1403-4) and Marshal of England (1404–05). In 1401 was made a Knight of the Garter, and later a member of the Privy Council. Despite the martial nature of his offices, Erpingham took little part in the warfare of the early years of Henry IV's reign, except perhaps to campaign in Scotland in 1400.

Although Prince Henry replaced Erpingham as Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover in 1409, relationships between the two men remained good and, when Henry succeeded to the throne in 1413, he appointed Erpingham as Steward of the Household. He was to hold this post until at least 1415[4]

Agincourt

In April, 1415 Sir Thomas Erpingham indentured to serve with a company of 80 men on King Henry's forthcoming expedition to France. The 80 included 20 men-at-arms and 60 archers. When the company mustered in Southampton it consisted of 24 men-at-arms and 73 archers. The army crossed to France in August and Sir Thomas' men were involved in the siege of Harfleur. After Harfleur, the remaining men of Thomas' company marched with the King towards Calais. On 25th. October, the English fought the French army at Agincourt. Sir Thomas was stationed in the main battle, alongside King Henry. Despite his long military career, it was his first major battle. As an experienced soldier, however, Henry gave him the task of marshaling the army's archers. He is recorded as having ridden across the front of the army to carry out his duties. When he was satisfied that the archers were in position, he threw his marshal's baton into the air and shouted what French listeners heard as "Nestroque"[5]. He then dismounted and fought alongside the king. After the battle, Erpingham marched on with the army to Calais, whence he embarked with the king in November to return to England[6].

Erpingham's views on religion

For a while Sir Thomas Erpingham supported John Wycliffe's then heretical campaign for the promotion of the English rendition of the Holy Bible, but is best remembered for his military service.

Erpingham village

Erpingham village and parish is situated four miles to the north of Aylsham, and gives its name to the adjoining Hundred, which was held by the family of Sir Thomas Erpingham for many generations.

The construction of the church of St. Mary in Erpingham was begun by Sir Thomas Erpingham, and finished by Lord Bardolph[7].

Erpingham's last resting place

Sir Thomas Erpingham was a significant benefactor to the city of Norwich, where in 1420 he had built the cathedral gate which bears his name, opposite the west door of the Cathedral leading into Cathedral Close[8].

A kneeling statue of Sir Thomas Erpingham is found in a niche in the center of the tall flint-faced gable of the Erpingham Gate at Norwich Cathedral, where he is buried on the north side of the presbytery.

Family

Sir Thomas Erpingham married Joan Clopton of Wickhambrook, and is buried on the north side of the presbytery at Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk.

It would appear that Joan, the sister of Sir William Clopton had a sister also named Joan who after 1404 married Thomas Erpingham. Erpingham also sired a daughter, by one of these wives who was naturally named Joan (or Juliana), who married Sir William Philip of Dennington.

It is evident he wed twice because a window opposite his chantry once displayed him and his two wives, and the Church records state he is buried with both of his wives.

References

^ Curry, Anne (2000). "Chapter 4 : Sir Thomas Erpingham". In Curry, Anne. Agincourt 1415. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0752417800.

^ Simon Walker, ‘Erpingham, Sir Thomas (c.1355–1428)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 1 Jan 2010

^ Gilly Wraight : The Erpingham Chasuble in Curry, op.cit,pp.104-10

^ According to Ian Mortimer, he was replaced by Walter Hungerford on 24th. July, 1415 (Mortimer, Ian (2009). 1415: Henry V's year of Glory. London: Bodley Head. p. 294. ISBN 9780224079921.). Curry (2000), however, says he held the post until 10th. May, 1417 (p.64). Walker (2004) also gives May 1417

^ Probably "Now Strike"

^ Curry (2000), pp.68-77

^ Curry, op.cit, p.88

^ Tony Simms : The Erpingham Gate in Curry, op.cit, pp.91-6