Henry Clifford, 10th Baron de Clifford

Arms of Clifford: Chequy or and azure, a fess gules

Henry Clifford, 10th Baron de Clifford, also 10th feudal baron of Skipton (ca. 1454 – 23 April 1523)[1] was a member of the Clifford family which was seared at Skipton Castle from 1310 to 1676. He was one of the chief commanders in the Battle of Flodden against the Scots in 1513. He is the subject of the opera Henry Clifford by Isaac Albéniz.

Origins

He was the son of John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford (also known as "Black-faced Clifford").

Career

As a boy of seven he was spirited away from his home in Skipton Castle, after his father was killed in battle against the Yorkists in 1461 and an attainder was placed against Henry for his father's killing of Edmund, the king's brother. For his own protection he was sent to live in Londesborough on the property of a trusted family nurse where he tended sheep with the family. Later, when his mother feared he would be discovered, she moved him to Threlkeld in Cumberland. After nearly 25 years in hiding, good news came to Henry Clifford. King Richard III had been defeated at the Battle of Bosworth (1485) and the attainder against his family was lifted, upon which he resumed residence at Skipton Castle. Due to his years of exile in the countryside and his peaceful demeanor, he was affectionately known as the Shepherd Lord. He was the hereditary Sheriff of Westmorland from his restoration until his death.

However, at the age of sixty, once again his family was called into service by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey who intended to repel the attacking Scots. Henry Clifford led an army of several thousand men northward and met the Scots on Flodden Field where the English won a decisive victory, and King James IV of Scotland was killed.[2]

Marriage & progeny

At some time before 1493 he married Anne St John, daughter of Sir John St John of Bletsoe (1426–1488) by his wife Alice Bradshaigh, and granddaughter of Margaret Beauchamp of Bletso. By Anne St John he had progeny including:

Peerage of England
Preceded by
John Clifford		 Baron de Clifford
1454–1524 		Succeeded by
Henry Clifford, 1st Earl of Cumberland

References

  1. ↑ "Henry Clifford, 10th Lord Clifford". The Peerage. 23 February 2011.
  2. ↑ Gee, H.L. (1960). Folk Tales of Yorkshire. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, LTD. pp. 35–39.
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