Thomas Erpynham
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Erpingham KG (–1428) was an English
knight
who became famous as the commander of King Henry V
's archers
at the Battle of Agincourt
. He was immortalised as a character in the play Henry V
by William Shakespeare
. It is, however, his lengthy and loyal service to John of Gaunt, Henry IV
and Henry V, which contributed significantly to the establishment of the House of Lancaster upon the English throne, that is his true legacy.
during the Hundred Years War, in Spain, in Scotland
against the Scots, in Prussia
and The Holy Land, and spanned nearly 50 years. Beginning with his service in Aquitaine
under the Black Prince in 1368 and concluding with his role at the Battle of Agincourt
, his military career was linked with the Lancastrian Dynasty.
Thomas joined John of Gaunt's service in 1380 as an esquire, and was knighted by him. He followed Gaunt to Spain
in pursuit of the throne of Castile
. After becoming a retainer of Gaunt's, Erpingham served in the Scottish campaign of 1385, against the Duke of Brittany
at the relief of Brest in 1385, he fought again in Spain
in 1386. In 1390, he joined John of Gaunt's sonHenry Bolingbroke, then simply Earl of Derby
, on his crusade to Lithuania to fight with the Teutonic Knights.
In 1392 he again accompanied Henry to Prussia
and on from there on a journey through Europe and on to Jerusalem, during which it is thought he obtained the fabric for the Chasuble
, now in the possession of the Victoria and Albert Museum
, during his return through Italy
.
Erpingham further demonstrated his loyalty by accompanying Bolingbroke into exile in 1398, entrusting his lands and property to Sir Robert Berney, but when John of Gaunt died in 1399, King Richard II
seized the Erpingham estates.
In July 1399, he landed at Ravenspur with Henry Bolingbroke, launching the campaign which led to the latter's seizure of the throne. During the campaign, Erpingham was responsible for the arrest of the Bishop Despenser and the ambush of King Richard II in Wales, taking him to the Tower of London
, and was one of the Commissioners who accepted Richard's signed resignation as King.
He was made Chamberlain of the Royal Household
in 1399, and on 30 September that year was appointed Constable of Dover Castle
and Warden of the Cinque Ports
(dated by the parliamentary returns for the Cinque Ports he made in reply to the writ dated 30 September), thus becoming effectively the guardian of the English Channel, which was threatened by invasion from the French King. He was to hold the latter two posts until 1409. He served as Chamberlain until 1404, served briefly as Steward of the Household
the same year and became acting Marshal of England
in October. In 1401 was made a Knight of the Garter, and later a member of the Privy Council
. Despite the martial nature of his offices, Erpingham took little part in the warfare of the early years of Henry IV's reign, except perhaps to campaign in Scotland in 1400.
Although Prince Henry replaced Erpingham as Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover in 1409, relationships between the two men remained good and, when Henry succeeded to the throne in 1413, he appointed Erpingham as Steward of the Household. He was to hold this post until at least 1415.
. After Harfleur, the remaining men of Thomas' company marched with the King towards Calais. On 25th. October, the English fought the French army at Agincourt. Sir Thomas was stationed in the main battle, alongside King Henry. Despite his long military career, it was his first major battle. As an experienced soldier, however, Henry gave him the task of marshaling the army's archers. He is recorded as having ridden across the front of the army to carry out his duties. When he was satisfied that the archers were in position, he threw his marshal's baton into the air and shouted what French listeners heard as "Nestroque". He then dismounted and fought alongside the king. After the battle, Erpingham marched on with the army to Calais, whence he embarked with the king in November to return to England.
's then heretical campaign for the promotion of the English rendition of the Holy Bible, but is best remembered for his military service.
village and parish is situated four miles to the north of Aylsham
, and gives its name to the adjoining Hundred, which was held by the family of Sir Thomas Erpingham for many generations.
The construction of the church of St. Mary in Erpingham was begun by Sir Thomas Erpingham, and finished by Lord Bardolph.
, where in 1420 he had built the cathedral gate which bears his name, opposite the west door of the Norwich Cathedral
leading into Cathedral Close.
A kneeling statue of Erpingham is found in a niche in the center of the tall flint-faced gable of the Erpingham Gate. He is buried on the north side of the presbytery
of the cathedral.
. It would appear that Joan, the sister of Sir William Clopton, had a sister also named Joan, who after 1404 married Erpingham. It is evident he wed twice because a window opposite his chantry once displayed him and his two wives, and Church records state he is buried with both of his wives.
He sired a daughter by one of these wives, who was also named Joan (or Juliana), who married Sir William Philip of Dennington
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
who became famous as the commander of King Henry V
Henry V of England
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
's archers
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
at the Battle of Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
. He was immortalised as a character in the play Henry V
Henry V (play)
Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in approximately 1599. Its full titles are The Cronicle History of Henry the Fifth and The Life of Henry the Fifth...
by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. It is, however, his lengthy and loyal service to John of Gaunt, Henry IV
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
and Henry V, which contributed significantly to the establishment of the House of Lancaster upon the English throne, that is his true legacy.
Military service
Erpingham's career as a soldier led him to serve in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the Hundred Years War, in Spain, in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
against the Scots, in Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and The Holy Land, and spanned nearly 50 years. Beginning with his service in Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
under the Black Prince in 1368 and concluding with his role at the Battle of Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
, his military career was linked with the Lancastrian Dynasty.
Thomas joined John of Gaunt's service in 1380 as an esquire, and was knighted by him. He followed Gaunt to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in pursuit of the throne of Castile
Crown of Castile
The Crown of Castile was a medieval and modern state in the Iberian Peninsula that formed in 1230 as a result of the third and definitive union of the crowns and parliaments of the kingdoms of Castile and León upon the accession of the then King Ferdinand III of Castile to the vacant Leonese throne...
. After becoming a retainer of Gaunt's, Erpingham served in the Scottish campaign of 1385, against the Duke of Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
at the relief of Brest in 1385, he fought again in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1386. In 1390, he joined John of Gaunt's sonHenry Bolingbroke, then simply Earl of Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, on his crusade to Lithuania to fight with the Teutonic Knights.
In 1392 he again accompanied Henry to Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and on from there on a journey through Europe and on to Jerusalem, during which it is thought he obtained the fabric for the Chasuble
Chasuble
The chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the Eucharist in Western-tradition Christian Churches that use full vestments, primarily in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches, as well as in some parts of the United Methodist Church...
, now in the possession of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
, during his return through Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Erpingham further demonstrated his loyalty by accompanying Bolingbroke into exile in 1398, entrusting his lands and property to Sir Robert Berney, but when John of Gaunt died in 1399, King Richard II
Richard II of England
Richard II was King of England, a member of the House of Plantagenet and the last of its main-line kings. He ruled from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. Richard was a son of Edward, the Black Prince, and was born during the reign of his grandfather, Edward III...
seized the Erpingham estates.
In July 1399, he landed at Ravenspur with Henry Bolingbroke, launching the campaign which led to the latter's seizure of the throne. During the campaign, Erpingham was responsible for the arrest of the Bishop Despenser and the ambush of King Richard II in Wales, taking him to the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, and was one of the Commissioners who accepted Richard's signed resignation as King.
He was made Chamberlain of the Royal Household
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
in 1399, and on 30 September that year was appointed Constable of Dover Castle
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is a medieval castle in the town of the same name in the English county of Kent. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history...
and Warden of the Cinque Ports
Cinque Ports
The Confederation of Cinque Ports is a historic series of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex. It was originally formed for military and trade purposes, but is now entirely ceremonial. It lies at the eastern end of the English Channel, where the crossing to the continent is narrowest...
(dated by the parliamentary returns for the Cinque Ports he made in reply to the writ dated 30 September), thus becoming effectively the guardian of the English Channel, which was threatened by invasion from the French King. He was to hold the latter two posts until 1409. He served as Chamberlain until 1404, served briefly as Steward of the Household
Lord Steward
The Lord Steward or Lord Steward of the Household, in England, is an important official of the Royal Household. He is always a peer. Until 1924, he was always a member of the Government...
the same year and became acting Marshal of England
Earl Marshal
Earl Marshal is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England...
in October. In 1401 was made a Knight of the Garter, and later a member of the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
. Despite the martial nature of his offices, Erpingham took little part in the warfare of the early years of Henry IV's reign, except perhaps to campaign in Scotland in 1400.
Although Prince Henry replaced Erpingham as Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover in 1409, relationships between the two men remained good and, when Henry succeeded to the throne in 1413, he appointed Erpingham as Steward of the Household. He was to hold this post until at least 1415.
Agincourt
In April 1415, Erpingham indentured to serve with a company of 80 men on King Henry's forthcoming expedition to France. The 80 included 20 men-at-arms and 60 archers. When the company mustered in Southampton it consisted of 24 men-at-arms and 73 archers. The army crossed to France in August and Sir Thomas' men were involved in the siege of HarfleurHarfleur
-Population:-Places of interest:* The church of St-Martin, dating from the fourteenth century.* The seventeenth century Hôtel de Ville .* Medieval ramparts * The fifteenth century museums of fishing and of archaeology and history....
. After Harfleur, the remaining men of Thomas' company marched with the King towards Calais. On 25th. October, the English fought the French army at Agincourt. Sir Thomas was stationed in the main battle, alongside King Henry. Despite his long military career, it was his first major battle. As an experienced soldier, however, Henry gave him the task of marshaling the army's archers. He is recorded as having ridden across the front of the army to carry out his duties. When he was satisfied that the archers were in position, he threw his marshal's baton into the air and shouted what French listeners heard as "Nestroque". He then dismounted and fought alongside the king. After the battle, Erpingham marched on with the army to Calais, whence he embarked with the king in November to return to England.
Religion
For a while Erpingham supported John WycliffeJohn Wycliffe
John Wycliffe was an English Scholastic philosopher, theologian, lay preacher, translator, reformer and university teacher who was known as an early dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. His followers were known as Lollards, a somewhat rebellious movement, which preached...
's then heretical campaign for the promotion of the English rendition of the Holy Bible, but is best remembered for his military service.
Erpingham village
ErpinghamErpingham
Erpingham is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 541 in 210 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of North Norfolk....
village and parish is situated four miles to the north of Aylsham
Aylsham
Aylsham is a historic market town and civil parish on the River Bure in north Norfolk, England, about north of Norwich. The river rises near Melton Constable, upstream from Aylsham and continues to Great Yarmouth and the North Sea, although it was only made navigable after 1779, allowing grain,...
, and gives its name to the adjoining Hundred, which was held by the family of Sir Thomas Erpingham for many generations.
The construction of the church of St. Mary in Erpingham was begun by Sir Thomas Erpingham, and finished by Lord Bardolph.
Resting place
Erpingham was a significant benefactor to the city of NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, where in 1420 he had built the cathedral gate which bears his name, opposite the west door of the Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
leading into Cathedral Close.
A kneeling statue of Erpingham is found in a niche in the center of the tall flint-faced gable of the Erpingham Gate. He is buried on the north side of the presbytery
Presbytery (architecture)
The presbytery is the name for an area in a church building which is reserved for the clergy.In the oldest church it is separated by short walls, by small columns and pilasters in the Renaissance ones; it can also be raised, being reachable by a few steps, usually with railings....
of the cathedral.
Family
Erpingham married Joan Clopton of WickhambrookWickhambrook
Wickhambrook is a village and civil parish in the St Edmundsbury district of Suffolk in eastern England.Located around ten miles south-west of Bury St Edmunds, halfway to Haverhill off the A143.The village was recorded in Domesday as "Wicham"....
. It would appear that Joan, the sister of Sir William Clopton, had a sister also named Joan, who after 1404 married Erpingham. It is evident he wed twice because a window opposite his chantry once displayed him and his two wives, and Church records state he is buried with both of his wives.
He sired a daughter by one of these wives, who was also named Joan (or Juliana), who married Sir William Philip of Dennington
Dennington
For the town in Victoria, Australia, see Dennington, VictoriaDennington is a small village in Suffolk, England, just north of Framlingham along the A1120 Bypass.-External links:* - village's local newspaper website...
.