Sir Thomas Grey of Heaton, Northumberland was a soldier who served throughout the Wars of Scottish Independence. His experiences were recorded by his son Thomas and provide a rare picture of the day to day realities of the wars. His career was blemished by his suicidal charge at the Battle of Bannockburn, which was a contributing factor to the devastating English defeat, but is perhaps best known for his role in the tale of Sir William Marmion the chivalric knight of Norham Castle.