Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland
1602–1668
Lord High Admiral; senior moderate peer; custodian of the royal children after Charles I’s execution.
Biography
Of St John's Cambridge, the Percy heir succeeded his father in 1632 and was Lord High Admiral from 1638 until 1642, breaking with Charles I over the Bishops' Wars. A senior moderate parliamentary peer at the Assembly's opening, he was made Lord General of the Fleet by Parliament and given guardianship of the royal children (Henry, Henrietta, Elizabeth) after the regicide — Princess Elizabeth died in his care at Carisbrooke Castle in 1650. He opposed the king's execution and the Engagement Oath, withdrew from public life in 1649, and was restored to the Privy Council by Charles II at the Restoration. Died in 1668 at Petworth.
Lay Assessor — House of Lords
Parliament seated lay assessors from both Houses to sit with the divines and represent its interest. Ten peers were named from the House of Lords as lay assessors; like the Commons assessors they had voice in the Assembly but were not voting members, and they attended as their other duties allowed.