Henry Percy (1502 – ), heir to the Earl of Northumberland. He was betrothed in secret to Anne Boleyn in 1523.
“You are in your early twenties when you first become involved with Anne Boleyn. You were brought up in Wolsey’s household and he had a poor opinion of your abilities… You seem to be a muddle-headed, emotional, unreliable young man, with poor judgement; not a man to dislike, not a cowardly man, but a confused one, frequently out of his depth.”
Hilary Mantel, notes on characters
The story so far…
Week 3: An Occult History of Britain (Part 1)
Harry stumbles into our story in 1523 as the betrothed of Anne Boleyn. Wolsey makes short work of this silly notion and calls in Harry’s father to take him away and marry him to Mary Talbot.
Week 7: Entirely Beloved Cromwell (Part 2)
He is tasked with the arrest of the cardinal. “Vengence deferred” for breaking up Anne and Harry. George Cavendish says the townspeople wept and asked God to send vengeance on Harry Percy. Cromwell: “God need not trouble, he thinks: I shall take it in hand.”
Week 10: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 1)
Mary Shelton: ‘Harry Percy has gone mad. Everybody knows it. He is spending all his money.’
He claims once again he is married to Anne Boleyn. Cromwell is sent in to make him think otherwise. He thinks he can speak truth to power, and his “ancient titles” will protect him. But Cromwell explains that it is otherwise.
Percy goes to the king’s council to swear on the Bible that he is not married to Anne Boleyn.
Week 16: The Map of Christendom (Part 1)
Christmas, 1534. Cromwell considers a map of the Scots border. “Harry Percy’s country. Look, let me show you. These are parcels of his estates he has given away to his creditors. We cannot let it continue, because we can’t leave our borders to chance.”
Cromwell intends to take away his earldom. Gregory suspects this is punishment for what he did to the cardinal.