Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys

Who was Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys?

Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys of the second creation, KG, was an English peer who led the rearguard at the Battle of Agincourt.

Thomas de Camoys was the grandson of Ralph de Camoys by his second wife, Elizabeth le Despenser, daughter of Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester, and the son of Sir John Camoys of Gressenhall, Norfolk, by his second wife, Elizabeth le Latimer, daughter of William le Latimer, 3rd Lord Latimer. From 20 August 1383 to 26 February 1421 he was summoned to Parliament by writ, by which he is held to have become 1st Baron Camoys of the second creation, the first creation of the barony having expired with the death on 11 April 1372 of his uncle, Thomas de Camoys, 2nd Baron Camoys, to whom he was heir.

In 1380 Camoys was in the retinue of his cousin, William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer in an expedition to France, and was knighted by Thomas of Woodstock, then Earl of Buckingham. He also served in an expedition to Scotland in 1385.

According to Leland, Camoys benefited little under Richard II, and after Richard's deposition attended Henry IV's first parliament. His loyalty to the new king brought him several grants.