The Percy Family
The Percy family, now the Dukes of Northumberland, has had a long and prominent history at Alnwick Castle, which has been an important family seat for over 700 years.
The Percy family rose to prominence during the medieval period. In 1309, the family purchased the castle; by the end of the 14th century, Henry Percy (known as "Hotspur") and his father, the first Earl of Northumberland, helped to overthrow the king. The family played a significant role in English politics and military affairs, with several Percys fighting in key battles, including during the Wars of the Roses.
Alnwick Castle itself dates back to the 11th century, with the earliest parts of the structure built by the Norman earls. It became an important northern seat for the Percy family's after the 1309 purchase, and later their principal residence in the north.
Below, a family member has been chosen to represent each of the first seven centuries of the Percy family's ownership of the castle, in order to give a flavour of the dramatic family history which has shaped the castle you see today.
-
![Harry Hotspur Medalion 72Dpi, 1079X970]()
1309-1409: The Warrior
Harry Hotspur, son of the 1st Earl of Northumberland, was born at Alnwick Castle in 1364 or 1366. He was supremely powerful in combat on land and sea, though sometimes his hot-headedness could lead him into trouble. Leading lightning-quick strikes against the Scots in the borders gained Harry a fearsome reputation and the nickname ‘hotspur’.
He was immortalised by Shakespeare in his play King Henry IV (Part 1) and killed in battle fighting against that king. -
![The Strategist]()
1409-1509: The Strategist
Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, trod a careful path through the various conflicts, uprisings and usurpations of the late 15th century. One of the 'Lions of the Red Rose', he famously held back at the Battle of Bosworth thereby helping Henry VII to the throne. In enforcing this king’s policy on taxes, however, he was murdered by a mob near Thirsk.
-
![7Th Earl 72Dpi, 245X342]()
1509-1609: The Blessed
Thomas Percy, 7th Earl, lived through a period of great religious turmoil and upheaval, witnessing his father rebel after England’s split with the church of Rome. He and his countess, Anne, themselves rebelled against Queen Elizabeth I in ‘The Rising of the Northern Earls’. Thomas was executed at York in 1572, professing the Catholic faith to the end, for which he was later beatified.
-
![The Diplomat]()
1609-1709: The Diplomat
Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland, was a man of high principle, who steered a solitary path through the civil wars that would engulf England, Scotland and Ireland in the 1640s. He was also a connoisseur and patron of fine art, who laid the foundation of the collection today.
-
![The Romantic]()
1709-1809: The Romantic
Elizabeth Percy, 1st Duchess of Northumberland from 1766, was responsible for Alnwick Castle becoming a family residence. Her romantic ideas about her ‘braw rough ancestors’ and her passion for the castle and landscape were matched by the vision of her husband, Sir Hugh Smithson. Together they restored Alnwick Castle and transformed the surrounding countryside.
-
![The Enlightened]()
1809-1909: The Enlightened
Algernon, 4th Duke, served in the navy from age 12 to 23, going on to become a great traveller and explorer. On inheriting the dukedom in 1847, aged 50, he had enjoyed a wealth of experience, with interests in astronomy, archaeology, art, architecture and technology. This influenced his restoration of the castle, the improvement of his estates and numerous public benefactions.
-
![The Wise]()
1909-2009: The Wise
Hugh, 10th Duke, was Duke of Northumberland for 48 years. He also served with the Northumberland Hussars during the Second World War. In the harsh financial climate of post-war Britain, his judicious management of the estates provided great stability and continuity.
Ralph Percy, the present Duke of Northumberland, inherited the dukedom after the death of his elder brother in 1995. As well as managing the more traditional estate businesses of agriculture, forestry and minerals, the Duke has overseen expansion of the portfolio to include planning and development and commercial property. With his Duchess, Jane, they have developed Alnwick Castle as a significant visitor attraction while the Duchess has masterminded a garden renaissance in the creation of The Alnwick Garden.
He has published two books on the history of the castle and his family, Lions of the North (2019) and Lions of the Red Rose (2024). Both these books are available from the Alnwick Castle gift shops.