Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was the son of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Frances de Vere, and the grandson of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. In 1554, he inherited from his grandfather many estates entailed to the Norfolk titles, and was England's premier Duke and highest ranking noble at the time of his accession until his death.
The Duke was married and widowed three times, to Mary Fitzalan, Margaret Audley, and Elizabeth Leybourne Dacre. His first son (by Mary), Philip Howard, inherited the honor of Earl of Arundel, survived him and became his principal heir. His two sons by Margaret were also prominent nobles, with son Thomas become the first Earl of Suffolk. His three stepdaughters by his third wife Elizabeth became the wives of his three sons.
The 4th Duke was very prominent in English politics, having led various efforts to implement middle-ground policies during the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. During the times he was widowed, he was considered to be a potential suitor for Queen Elizabeth. He was the commander of the English Army in the north, keeping the Scots from invading. His politics tended to be at odds with those who favored the Protestant causes, even though Thomas had grown up to become a Protestant and did not favor a return to Papal authority.
In 1569, his opponents seized upon his close friendship with Mary Queen of Scots to bring him down. In the following years, the Duke was suspected of treason by Queen Elizabeth's closest ministers, and eventually convicted of treason on what many commentators thought was flimsy evidence. He was beheaded at the Tower of London, and buried in the Saint Peter ad Vincula Chapel.
The Duke was married and widowed three times, to Mary Fitzalan, Margaret Audley, and Elizabeth Leybourne Dacre. His first son (by Mary), Philip Howard, inherited the honor of Earl of Arundel, survived him and became his principal heir. His two sons by Margaret were also prominent nobles, with son Thomas become the first Earl of Suffolk. His three stepdaughters by his third wife Elizabeth became the wives of his three sons.
The 4th Duke was very prominent in English politics, having led various efforts to implement middle-ground policies during the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. During the times he was widowed, he was considered to be a potential suitor for Queen Elizabeth. He was the commander of the English Army in the north, keeping the Scots from invading. His politics tended to be at odds with those who favored the Protestant causes, even though Thomas had grown up to become a Protestant and did not favor a return to Papal authority.
In 1569, his opponents seized upon his close friendship with Mary Queen of Scots to bring him down. In the following years, the Duke was suspected of treason by Queen Elizabeth's closest ministers, and eventually convicted of treason on what many commentators thought was flimsy evidence. He was beheaded at the Tower of London, and buried in the Saint Peter ad Vincula Chapel.
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was the son of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Frances de Vere, and the grandson of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. In 1554, he inherited from his grandfather many estates entailed to the Norfolk titles, and was England's premier Duke and highest ranking noble at the time of his accession until his death.
The Duke was married and widowed three times, to Mary Fitzalan, Margaret Audley, and Elizabeth Leybourne Dacre. His first son (by Mary), Philip Howard, inherited the honor of Earl of Arundel, survived him and became his principal heir. His two sons by Margaret were also prominent nobles, with son Thomas become the first Earl of Suffolk. His three stepdaughters by his third wife Elizabeth became the wives of his three sons.
The 4th Duke was very prominent in English politics, having led various efforts to implement middle-ground policies during the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. During the times he was widowed, he was considered to be a potential suitor for Queen Elizabeth. He was the commander of the English Army in the north, keeping the Scots from invading. His politics tended to be at odds with those who favored the Protestant causes, even though Thomas had grown up to become a Protestant and did not favor a return to Papal authority.
In 1569, his opponents seized upon his close friendship with Mary Queen of Scots to bring him down. In the following years, the Duke was suspected of treason by Queen Elizabeth's closest ministers, and eventually convicted of treason on what many commentators thought was flimsy evidence. He was beheaded at the Tower of London, and buried in the Saint Peter ad Vincula Chapel.
The Duke was married and widowed three times, to Mary Fitzalan, Margaret Audley, and Elizabeth Leybourne Dacre. His first son (by Mary), Philip Howard, inherited the honor of Earl of Arundel, survived him and became his principal heir. His two sons by Margaret were also prominent nobles, with son Thomas become the first Earl of Suffolk. His three stepdaughters by his third wife Elizabeth became the wives of his three sons.
The 4th Duke was very prominent in English politics, having led various efforts to implement middle-ground policies during the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. During the times he was widowed, he was considered to be a potential suitor for Queen Elizabeth. He was the commander of the English Army in the north, keeping the Scots from invading. His politics tended to be at odds with those who favored the Protestant causes, even though Thomas had grown up to become a Protestant and did not favor a return to Papal authority.
In 1569, his opponents seized upon his close friendship with Mary Queen of Scots to bring him down. In the following years, the Duke was suspected of treason by Queen Elizabeth's closest ministers, and eventually convicted of treason on what many commentators thought was flimsy evidence. He was beheaded at the Tower of London, and buried in the Saint Peter ad Vincula Chapel.
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
