Percy

Percy, a noble English family, the name being derived, it is said, from a town in St. L6, Lower Normandy. The first of the English Percys was Lord William, who accompanied William the Conqueror to England, and obtained grants of land in Hampshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire in consideration of his services. He died in the Crusades, within view of the Holy City. At the death of his grandson, William, the first race of the Percys died in the male line; but from one of the granddaughters of the last named a, succession of distinguished knights proceeded, notably Henry, created Earl of Northumberland in 1377, whose son, Hotspur, is the hero of many a romantic ballad, and is immortalised by Shakespeare. With Henry Algernon, sixth earl, the peerage of the Percys ceased for a while, it being conferred on the Earl of Warwick by Edward VI. It was revived by Queen Mary in favour of the nephew of the sixth earl. The title is held at present by the Duke of Northumberland, who is connected with the old Percys, through the female side only.