Harry Hotspur

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Henry Percy, best known as Harry Hotspur, was – and remains – a great Northumbrian hero.
Hotspur was a famous English knight and one-time Warden of the East March who was slain at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. For rebelling against the King, his head was sent to York and his body quartered and sent to London, Bristol, Chester and Newcastle.
His home was the impressive Warkworth Castle and he made his name in battles against the French and, of course, the Scots with a famous victory at the Battle of Homildon Hill and defeat at Otterburn, where he was taken prisoner and ransomed for 7,000 marks.
Hotspur and The Douglas are immortalised in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV and a bronze statue to the knight stands in Alnwick.
The Percy’s also owned land in North London which is how the White Hart Lane Premier Division football team Tottenham gained their famous second name.

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