Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland

Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland (1517 – January 1570) was a member of the Clifford family, seated at Skipton Castle from 1310 to 1676. His wife was Lady Eleanor Brandon, a niece of King Henry VIII. After her death, he married Anne Dacre.

Origins Henry was a son of Henry Clifford, 1st Earl of Cumberland, by his wife, Lady Margaret Percy,

Marriages and progeny Henry Clifford married twice.

Firstly, before June 1537, on his daughter's marriage, and again soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth I. By his wife Eleanor Brandon, Henry had three children: Lady Margaret Clifford (1540 – 29 September 1596), wife of Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby. Henry Clifford, died an infant. Charles Clifford, died an infant.

Secondly, Henry married Anne Dacre (c. 1538 – July 1581), the daughter of William Dacre, 3rd Baron Dacre, and Lady Elizabeth Talbot, daughter of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, and Anne Hastings. Anne Hastings was a daughter of William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings, and Lady Katherine Neville. Lady Katherine Neville was a daughter of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury, and Alice Montacute, 5th Countess of Salisbury. By Anne Dacre, Henry had at least three children: George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland (8 August 1558 – 30 October 1605) Francis Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland (1559–1641) Lady Frances Clifford (d. 1592), wife of Philip Wharton, 3rd Baron Wharton.

Career In July 1561 Henry and Lord Dacre, his father-in-law, were accused of protecting the popish priests in the north. A similar charge was advanced in February 1562. He was in 1569 strongly opposed to the contemplated marriage of Mary Queen of Scots and Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and readily promised support to the great rebellion of that year. In May 1569 he was in London. As the year wore on he gave in his adherence to the scheme for proclaiming Mary queen of England; but when the critical moment arrived he did not act with vigour, but as a 'crazed man, leaving his tenants to the leadership of Leonard Dacres'. He assisted Lord Scrope in fortifying Carlisle against the rebels. Henry is described by his daughter as having 'a good library', being 'studious in all manner of learning, and much given to alchemy.'

Death and burial He died shortly after 8 January 1569–70, at Brougham Castle, and was buried at Skipton Castle.