Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 44.djvu/426

Percy were not without some inclination to murmur even on his behalf’ (Rebellion, viii. 98). On 11 Jan. 1645 Percy and two other royalist peers were placed under arrest by the king on the charge of holding correspondence with his enemies and uttering disrespectful speeches, but in reality on account of the persistency with which they urged him to open negotiations with the parliament (, Great Civil War, ii. 114). Percy was released a few weeks later, and, having procured a pass from Essex, sought to take ship for the continent. On his way he was taken prisoner by Waller and Cromwell at Andover. Among Percy's party ‘there was a youth of so fair a countenance that Cromwell doubted of his condition, and, to confirm himself, willed him to sing, which he did with such a daintiness that Cromwell scrupled not to say to Lord Percy that being a warrior he did wisely to be accompanied by Amazons, on which that lord in some confusion did acknowledge that she was a damsel; this afterwards gave cause for scoff at the king's party’ (Recollections by Sir William Waller, 1788, p. 125). Percy arrived at Paris at the end of March 1645, and, though the king had cautioned the queen not to trust him too much, was speedily as great a favourite with Henrietta as before (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1644–5, pp. 372, 390, 483). In March 1648 he was wounded in a duel with Prince Rupert, and in the following October was put under arrest for giving the lie to Lord Colepeper in the presence of the Prince of Wales (Hamilton Papers, i. 178;, Memorials, ii. 423).

As Percy belonged to the queen's party and to the faction of Secretary Long, he is spoken of with great severity in the correspondence of Hyde and Nicholas. They regarded him as an atheist because he favoured Hobbes, and advised Charles II to comply with the demands of the presbyterians or any other party which would undertake to restore his throne. When he was made lord chamberlain and admitted to the privy council, their disgust knew no bounds (Nicholas Papers, i. 172, 213, 285, 293, ii. 18, 20, 113). Hyde, however, was subsequently reconciled to Percy, who brought about a meeting between the queen and the chancellor of the exchequer, and is praised in the ‘History of the Rebellion’ for his economical administration of the king's household (xiv. 89, 93). When Percy thought of making his peace with the Protector, Hyde dissuaded him, and told him that few men were so fit to be about the king's person, or engaged in the counsels likely to carry him home (Cal. Clarendon Papers, iii. 161, 330). He died in France about March 1659 (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1658–9, pp. 115, 335, 562).

[Authorities cited in the article; De Fonblanque's House of Percy, ii. 368, 430; Collins's Peerage, ed. Brydges.] 

PERCY, HENRY (1785–1825), colonel, aide-de-camp to Sir John Moore and to Wellington, fifth son of Algernon Percy, baron Lovaine, who was created Earl of Beverley in 1790, and brother of Hugh Percy [q. v.], bishop of Carlisle, and of Vice-admiral Josceline Percy, was born on 14 Sept. 1785. He was educated at Eton, and on 16 Aug. 1804 appointed lieutenant in the 7th fusiliers. He became captain unattached 9 Oct. 1806, and captain 7th fusiliers on 6 Nov. following. He was aide-de-camp to Sir John Moore at Coruña. On 21 June 1810 he was transferred as captain to the 14th light dragoons. He was taken prisoner with a party of his regiment during the retreat from Burgos in 1812, and was detained in France until the peace. In 1815 he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington. He brought home the Waterloo despatches, arriving post in London on the evening of 20 June with the despatches and captured eagles, and was next day made C.B., and a brevet lieutenant-colonel from 18 June 1815. He retired on half-pay in 1821, and was returned to parliament for Beeralston, Devonshire, in 1823. Once a gay, handsome young fellow, he prematurely lost his health. He died at his father's house in Portman Square, London, 15 April 1825, in his fortieth year, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Marylebone.

[Foster's Peerage, under ‘Beverley;’ Army Lists; Gent. Mag. 1825, pt. i. p. 567.] 

PERCY, HENRY ALGERNON, fifth (1478–1527), born 13 Jan. 1478, was son of Henry Percy, fourth earl of Northumberland [q. v.], by Maud, daughter of William Herbert, first earl of Pembroke of the second creation [q. v.] Alan Percy [q. v.] was his younger brother. On 28 April 1489 he succeeded his father as fifth Earl of Northumberland. He was well looked after and brought up at the court, while his sisters' marriages were the object of careful negotiation. He was made K.B. 21 Nov. 1481, at the time when Prince Arthur was created Prince of Wales. He attended Henry at the conclusion of the treaty of Etaples in 1492, and took a prominent part in the elaborate ceremony of 1494, when Prince Henry was created K.B. (Letters, &c., of Richard III and Henry VII, i. 390, &c.). In 1495 he was made a knight of the Garter. In 1497 he served in the royal