All Hallows’ Eve and the “Ghost” of Isolda Percy
by Jim Kenaston
All Hallows’ Eve falls on October 31st of each year. In the Christian calendar it is the day before All Saints’ Day. The Church traditionally held a vigil on All Hallows’ Eve when Christians would pray and fast prior to the feast day itself. It is an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.
Here is the story of Isolda Percy (circa 1360-1435). She is not a declared saint, but is highly regarded among her descendants, who attribute to her a saintly character. She may only be a “martyr” for her willingness to die to herself, and certainly to vainglorious ambitions, as any follower of Christ is called to do.
Isolda is greatly overshadowed by her powerful father, Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland (1341-1408). In popular culture, we largely know of Henry (the Earl) through the historical dramas of William Shakespeare, Richard II (1595), Henry IV, Part 1 (circa 1597), and Henry IV, Part 2 (circa 1596-1599). Had Shakespeare known of Isolda, he might have considered her a compelling character, though she lurks quietly as a Percy family ghost within his plays.
Shakespeare used both Henry Percy (the Earl) and his son Henry “Hotspur” Percy (1364-1403) in his plays, taking some license with the historical facts. But apart from Shakespeare, we know that Henry Percy survived the worst years of the “Black Death” (the bubonic plague) that devastated the world population of the mid-14th century, killing up to 200 million people. He lived his entire life, as did his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, within the time-frame of France and England’s Hundred Years War.
Henry Percy was originally a follower of Edward III of England, for whom he held high offices in the administration of northern England. Following Edward III’s death, he supported King Richard II. Upon Richard’s coronation in 1377, he became an Earl and was briefly given the title of Marshal of England. But once King Richard had elevated his rival, Ralph Neville, to the position of Earl of Westmorland (in 1397), a jealous Percy and his son “Hotspur” supported the rebellion of Henry Bolingbroke, who became King as Henry IV.
Henry (the Earl) fancied himself a kingmaker, and with his own self-interest at heart, but he came to have his quarrels with Henry the King. A Percy rebellion failed at the Battle of Shrewsbury, where “Hotspur” was killed. Since the Earl had not participated directly in the rebellion, he was not convicted of treason.
In 1405, Percy involved himself in another rebellion, after which he fled to Scotland. Finally, in 1408, he invaded England in rebellion once more and was killed at the Battle of Bramham Moor. His severed head was subsequently put on display at London Bridge.
Family Conflicts
Isolda is not universally recognized as a daughter of Henry Percy, the 1st Earl of Northumberland. In establishing family membership, historians strongly favor documentation through primary sources, such as a listing of heirs in a legal will. Isolda’s descendants believe that she was removed from her father’s will, as her husband, Sir Madocus Kynaston, fought against her brother “Hotspur” at the Battle of Shrewsbury, where both died on July 21, 1403.
Born into a life of privilege, Isolda was in a position to prosper, but with her husband’s death in battle against her father’s favored son, her prospects may have been poisoned by her politically-minded father. We see this kind of political division within our families even today.
It should not surprise us that Isolda disappeared from the Percy family history. With her father’s ignoble demise, and with his head on a pike, she knew it best not to call attention to the family connection. Sadly, her only son died in the same year as her father (1408). Did she later die an embittered old woman? If so, we have no evidence of this bitter trait in the lives of her close descendants. It would seem that she turned her attention toward the quiet and faithful duties of helping to raise her grandson Griffinus.
But we only learn of Isolda through secondary sources. Her 17th century descendants remembered her, listing her as the wife of “Modocus Kynaston de Stokes” and the daughter of the Earl of Northumberland (Henry Percy) in a record of established township families that was compiled in 1623. Here is the original record, rendered in Latin (click on “Search inside” and scroll down to the bottom of page 293), with a modern translation presented here. She is also listed (as you scroll down) among Henry Percy’s children, including Henry “Hotspur” and his descendants. Though again, historians consider these to be secondary sources.
A Woman Worthy of Honor
The worst battles of Isolda’s life occurred over 600 years ago. Her father’s life of political maneuvering left him as a warning and a signpost for others. He is largely remembered as a duplicitous character in Shakespeare’s plays.
Isolda would be forgotten entirely, if not for the efforts of her 17th century descendants (and the townspeople of Shropshire) to restore her within their family histories. They remembered her well, and for generations to follow, as one who accepted her lowered status, humbly serving as a faithful presence and blessing to those with whom she lived out her life.
As we arrive at the eve of All Saints’ Day, we commemorate this special day for the saints of old. How will our lives be remembered hundreds of years from now? Will we serve as a warning and a signpost for others, or will we merely be forgotten? Or like Isolda Percy, will our descendants be thankful that we lived faithful lives of service, content with the limited and humble roles we were called to play?
