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Myers Literary Guide:
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The North-East
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WILLIAM PERCY (1575 - 1648) Percy was the third son of the 8th Earl of Northumberland and was born at Topcliffe, near Thirsk. At Oxford, Percy was very friendly with Barnabe Barnes (q.v.) who dedicated his Parthenophil and Parthenope to him. Their intimacy no doubt stemmed from their northern roots, and in 1594 Percy strove to emulate his friend by publishing a collection of Sonnets to the Fairest Coelia. This work closes with a madrigal to Barnes. Thomas Campion wrote a friendly letter to Percy in 1619, but the latter's career was not a smooth progression. He was in the Tower at one period and 1638 found him in obscurity in Oxford, 'drinking nothing but ale'. Six plays by Percy exist in manuscript in the possession of the Duke of Devonshire.
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