Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Howard family traces its documented roots to Great Howarth Hall in Rochdale, Lancashire. Sir William Dugdale compiled a pedigree on the 8th of April 1665 stating the family derives from the Howards of that hall.
John Howard became Duke of Norfolk on the 28th of June 1483 following service to King Richard III. He had previously been summoned to Parliament as Lord Howard by Edward IV and gained the hereditary title Earl Marshal.
Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard both married Henry VIII as wives of the king. Anne Boleyn fell from grace while Catherine Howard was executed for alleged adultery due to political turmoil surrounding their marriages.
Four consecutive members of the Howard family fell from grace over Catholic beliefs including Thomas Howard third Duke and Philip Howard thirteenth Earl of Arundel. It became tradition among Howards to suffer persecution for maintaining Roman Catholic faith which led to imprisonment or execution.
Charles Howard first Earl of Nottingham served as Lord High Admiral commanding English fleet against Spanish Armada. His line descended from fourth son of second Duke who commanded forces at Flodden and he led naval operations that defeated invading Spanish forces during Elizabethan era.