I’ve been curious about the Dudleys for a while now. Specifically, how did he become duke of Northumberland? I thought it was the Percys for generations? Did Henry Percy not have an heir when he died in 1536? There wasn’t some nephew or second cousin? Or there was and it somehow came to the Dudleys later? Thanks. Michelle t
Michael, hi, the Earldom became vacant because Henry Percy didn’t leave an heir but gave it to the crown when he died in 1537, leaving it to Henry Viii, firstly on condition that it was given to his nephew, the future 7th Earl and martyr, Blessed Thomas Percy. He then changed it to unconditional when his brother, also Thomas Percy was attainted after the Pilgrimage of Grace. The title was held in the gift of the crown until 1557 when it was restored to the Percy family. John Dudley was made Duke of Northumberland in 1551 but of course that was ended with his execution in 1553 and the family gained all of their lands and the Earldom back under Queen Mary.
I’ve been curious about the Dudleys for a while now. Specifically, how did he become duke of Northumberland? I thought it was the Percys for generations? Did Henry Percy not have an heir when he died in 1536? There wasn’t some nephew or second cousin? Or there was and it somehow came to the Dudleys later? Thanks. Michelle t
Michael, hi, the Earldom became vacant because Henry Percy didn’t leave an heir but gave it to the crown when he died in 1537, leaving it to Henry Viii, firstly on condition that it was given to his nephew, the future 7th Earl and martyr, Blessed Thomas Percy. He then changed it to unconditional when his brother, also Thomas Percy was attainted after the Pilgrimage of Grace. The title was held in the gift of the crown until 1557 when it was restored to the Percy family. John Dudley was made Duke of Northumberland in 1551 but of course that was ended with his execution in 1553 and the family gained all of their lands and the Earldom back under Queen Mary.
Thank you, Real Tudor Lady!