DARCY, THOMAS DARCY, BARON Eng lish soldier, was a son of Sir William Darcy (d. 1488). In 1505, having been created Baron Darcy, he was made warden of the east marches towards Scotland. In 1511 Darcy led some troops to Spain to help Ferdinand and Isabella against the Moors, but he returned almost at once to England, and was with Henry VIII. on his French campaign two years later. Darcy, who was one of the most powerful nobles on the border, was also a mem ber of the royal council, dividing his time between state duties in London and a more active life in the north. He brought for ward accusations against his former friend, Cardinal Wolsey; how ever, after the cardinal's fall his words and actions caused him to be suspected by Henry VIII. Disliking the separation from Rome, Darcy asserted that matrimonial cases were matters for the decision of the spiritual power, and he communicated with Eustace Chapuys, the ambassador of the emperor Charles V., about an invasion of England in the interests of the Roman Catho lics. Detained in London by the king, he was not allowed to return to Yorkshire until late in 1535, and about a year after his arrival in the north the rising known as the Pilgrimage of Grace broke out. For a short time Darcy defended Pontefract Castle against the rebels, but soon he surrendered to them this stronghold, which he could certainly have held a little longer, and was with them at Doncaster, being regarded as one of their leaders. Darcy may have assisted to suppress the rising which was renewed under Sir Francis Bigod early in 1537, but the king believed, probably with good reason, that he was guilty of fresh treasons, and he was seized and hurried to London. Tried by his peers, Darcy was found guilty of treason, and was beheaded on June 20, 1537.