Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk, was the fifth son of King Edward I of England (1239–1307), and the eldest child by his second wife, Margaret of France, the daughter of King Philip III of France. He was, therefore, a younger half-brother of King Edward II and a full brother of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent. He occupied the office of Earl Marshal of England.

Margaret or Marguerite of France was Queen of England as the second wife of King Edward I. She was a daughter of Philip III of France and Maria of Brabant.