Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk (1367 – 17 September 1415) was an English nobleman who supported Henry IV (reigned 1399–1413) against Richard II (reigned 1377–1399) during the turmoils of the late 14th century. He died during the Siege of Harfleur in 1415. He was the eldest son of Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of Suffolk and Katherine Wingfield, daughter of Sir John Wingfield. His father fled abroad amid accusations of treason during the Merciless Parliament in 1388, forfeiting the title of Earl of Suffolk and the family estates. Over the next decade the younger Michael de la Pole made vigorous attempts to recover these lands, and obtained most of them piecemeal between 1389 and 1392, following his father's death. However, his close association with the

Lords Appellant The Lords Appellant were a group of nobles in the reign of Richard II of England, King Richard II, who, in 1388, sought to impeach five of the King's favourites in order to restrain what was seen as tyrannical and capricious rule. The word ''appel ...

, particularly the Earl of Warwick and the

Duke of Gloucester Duke of Gloucester ( ) is a British royal title (after Gloucester), often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England and the last in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; the curre ...

prejudiced Richard II against him. He finally obtained the restoration of the earldom in January 1398. While he obeyed the summons of the

Duke of York Duke of York is a title of nobility in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of List of English monarchs, English (later List of British monarchs, British) monarchs ...

to defend the kingdom against Henry Bolingbroke in July 1399, Suffolk did not object to the disbandment of York's army and consented to the deposition of Richard II in the summer of 1399. While the first Parliament of Henry IV technically upheld the forfeitures of the Merciless Parliament, Henry IV immediately restored de la Pole's estates and title in recognition of his support. However, he spent the remainder of his life trying to obtain possession of the remaining estates which had not been restored. He played a relatively small role in national politics, although he regularly attended Parliament. He took part in the campaign in Scotland in 1400, in naval operations around 1405, and served as the senior English diplomat at the

Council of Pisa The Council of Pisa (; , also nicknamed the , "secret meeting", by those who considered it illegitimate) was a controversial council held in 1409. It attempted to end the Western Schism by deposing both Benedict XIII (Avignon) and Gregory XII ...

(1409). Suffolk also acted as a lieutenant of the

Duke of Clarence Duke of Clarence was a substantive title created three times in the Peerage of England. The title Duke of Clarence and St Andrews has also been created in the Peerage of Great Britain, and Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Prince Leopold, Duke ...

during his campaign of 1412–1413. However, he devoted most of his energies to re-establishing de la Pole influence in

East Anglia East Anglia is an area of the East of England, often defined as including the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, with parts of Essex sometimes also included. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles, ...

. He took the role of a justice of the peace in

Norfolk Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...

and

Suffolk Suffolk ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Norfolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Essex to the south, and Cambridgeshire to the west. Ipswich is the largest settlement and the county ...

from 1399, and assembled a considerable following among the local gentry. He completed his father's building plans at Wingfield, Suffolk, and enlarged the local church. Suffolk brought 40

men-at-arms A man-at-arms was a soldier of the High Medieval to Renaissance periods who was typically well-versed in the use of arms and served as a fully-armoured heavy cavalryman. A man-at-arms could be a knight, or other nobleman, a member of a kni ...

and 120 archers with him on the 1415 campaign of Henry V in France. He died of

dysentery Dysentery ( , ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complications may include dehyd ...

Harfleur Harfleur () is a Communes of France, commune in the Seine-Maritime Departments of France, department in the Normandy (administrative region), Normandy Regions of France, region of northern France. It was the principal seaport in north-western Fr ...

, and was succeeded by his eldest son

Michael Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * he He ..., a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name * Michael (bishop elect)">Michael (surname)">he He ..., a given nam ...

, who later died at Agincourt. Joseph Hunter (1850). Agincourt: a contribution towards an authentic list of the commanders of the English host in King Henry the Fifth's expedition to France, in the third year of his reign. Cowen Tracts: Newcastle University. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/60201871

Issue

Michael married Katherine de Stafford, daughter of

Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford, 3rd Baron Audley, KG (c. 1342 – 16 October 1386) was an English nobleman. Early life Hugh de Stafford was born around 1342, the second and youngest son of Ralph de Stafford, 1st E ...

. They were parents to at least eight children: * Michael de la Pole (1394-1415), 3rd Earl of Suffolk * William de la Pole (1396-1450), 1st Duke of Suffolk * Sir Alexander de la Pole (died 1429). Killed at the Battle of Jargeau. * Sir John de la Pole (died 1429). Died as a prisoner in France. * Sir Thomas de la Pole (aft. 1397–1433). Died in

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

while a hostage for his brother William. He had a daughter ** Katherine de la Pole (1416–1488, buried in Rowley Abbey,

Oxfordshire Oxfordshire ( ; abbreviated ''Oxon'') is a ceremonial county in South East England. The county is bordered by Northamptonshire and Warwickshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, and Wiltshire and Glouceste ...

), second wife of Sir Miles Stapleton. *

Katherine de la Pole Katherine de la Pole (1410/1411 – 1473) was the abbess of Barking Abbey. Life Katherine de la Pole was born in about 1410. She was the oldest daughter of Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk and Katherine de Stafford.Bush, Ruth"Pole, Kathe ...

(1410-1473), Abbess at Barking. * Isabel de la Pole (died 1466), married Thomas de Morley, 5th Baron Morley. * Elizabeth de la Pole, married (1) Edward Burnell, son of Hugh Burnell, 2nd Baron Burnell, and (2) Sir Thomas Kerdeston

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pole, Michael de la 2nd Earl of Suffolk Suffolk, Michael de la Pole, 3rd Earl of

Suffolk, Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, Michael de la Pole, 2nd Earl of Infectious disease deaths in France English justices of the peace