Edmund Grey, 1st Earl of Kent
An English nobleman whose pivotal, last-minute betrayal on the battlefield decided the fate of the crown during the Wars of the Roses.
1416–1490 (age 74)·English administrator, nobleman and magnate·Birthday: October 26
Biography
Edmund Grey's life was defined by the turbulent dynastic struggle between York and Lancaster. Born into a noble family in 1416, he initially served the Lancastrian king Henry VI as Treasurer of England. But the shifting sands of the Wars of the Roses demanded pragmatism. His moment of profound impact came at the Battle of Northampton in 1460. Commanding a key Lancastrian wing, he abruptly switched sides mid-fight, ordering his men to lay down their arms and allowing the Yorkists a decisive victory. This act of betrayal was richly rewarded by the victorious Edward IV, who created him Earl of Kent. He spent his later years consolidating his family's wealth and influence from his Bedfordshire estate at Wrest, a loyal Yorkist servant until his death in 1490.
#1 When Edmund Was Born
The biggest hits of 1416
Edmund's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1416Born
1421Started school
1429Became a teenager
1432Could drive
1434Could vote
1437Turned 21
1446Turned 30
1456Turned 40
1466Turned 50
1476Turned 60
1486Turned 70
1490Died at 74
Key Achievements
- His defection at the Battle of Northampton directly caused the capture of King Henry VI and a Yorkist victory.
- Was created the first Earl of Kent of the Grey family by King Edward IV as a reward for his support.
- Served as Lord High Treasurer of England under both the Lancastrian and Yorkist regimes.
- Secured substantial landholdings and titles, establishing the wealth of the Grey family for generations.
Did You Know?
His main residence, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, would later become famous for its 18th-century landscaped gardens.
He was the great-grandfather of Lady Jane Grey, the 'Nine Days' Queen.'
Before his earldom, he was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Bath.
He initially fought for the Lancastrians at the first Battle of St Albans in 1455.
“A man must look to his own estate and the security of his line.”
