Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard entered the world on the 10th of March 1473, born into a family that had recently lost everything. His grandfather John Howard died at Bosworth in 1485 after fighting for Richard III against Henry Tudor. The battle resulted in the forfeiture of their titles and most properties. Thomas's father was restored as Earl of Surrey in 1489, but the family remained vulnerable to royal displeasure. In April 1497, his mother Elizabeth Tilney died, leaving him an orphan at age twenty-four. That same August, his father married Agnes Tilney, his first wife's cousin. Young Thomas served under his father in campaigns against the Scots during 1497. He received knighthood from his own father on the 30th of September 1497. This early military service established his reputation as an able soldier within the turbulent political landscape of late fifteenth-century England.
The Battle of Flodden near Branxton on the 9th of September 1513 marked a turning point for the Howard family. James IV of Scotland invaded England despite being married to Princess Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII. Thomas Howard joined his brother Edmund along with barons Dacre and Monteagle to lead the English army. Despite numerical inferiority, they decisively crushed Scottish forces. Thousands of Scots lost their lives while King James IV himself fell in the battle. Leading these victorious forces gave the Howards enormous prestige both socially and at court. The Howard coat of arms changed to incorporate the Scottish lion pierced through the mouth with an arrow. This heraldic emblem became a blatant insult to the kings of Scotland. On the 1st of February 1514, his father was created Duke of Norfolk again, and Thomas became Earl of Surrey. They received lands scattered across the realm to prevent any single Howard landed base in East Anglia.
Thomas Howard's political fortunes revived when his niece Anne Boleyn caught the eye of King Henry VIII. By 1529, matters of state were increasingly handled by Norfolk alongside his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn and the Duke of Suffolk. These men pressed King Henry VIII to remove Cardinal Wolsey. In October, the King sent Howard and the Duke of Suffolk to obtain the great seal from the Cardinal. Wolsey died in Leicester on the 30th of November 1530 while traveling from York to London. Howard benefited from this fall, becoming the King's leading councillor. He applied himself energetically in efforts to find a way out of Henry's marriage to Queen Catherine. In early 1530, Anne Boleyn promoted a marriage between her cousin Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Princess Mary. The Duke was enthusiastic about the match as it might give him greater political influence at court. However, Boleyn changed her mind fearing that Norfolk could use the match to support Mary's claim to the throne. She persuaded her reluctant uncle instead to arrange for Surrey to marry Frances de Vere in October 1530.
When the Pilgrimage of Grace broke out in Lincolnshire during October 1536, Norfolk shared command with George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. They opened negotiations with insurgent leader Robert Aske at Scawsby Leys near Doncaster where Aske had assembled between thirty thousand and forty thousand people. The twenty-four Articles given to Norfolk promised a general pardon for rebels and stated Parliament would meet in York within a year. Jesse Childs notes that Henry VIII did not authorize Norfolk to grant remedies for grievances. The Howards were outnumbered having only five thousand to seven thousand men against more than forty thousand rebels. Upon seeing their numbers, Norfolk negotiated promises to avoid being massacred by insurgent forces. In January 1537 Bigod's rebellion broke out. Forces led by Norfolk headed north carrying out brutal repression on behalf of the King despite his own Catholic faith. By May 1542 Howard declared war on France as Lieutenant-General of the army. During campaigns from May to October 1544 he besieged Montreuil while Henry VIII captured Boulogne before returning home.
During the last years of Henry VIII's reign, the Seymour family gained greater power while conservative Norfolk became politically isolated. On the 12th of December 1546 both Norfolk and his son Henry Earl of Surrey were arrested and sent to the Tower of London. Early morning raids on the 14th of December found Norfolk's daughter Mary and daughter-in-law Frances alone at Kenninghall residence. Richard Southwell and companions searched for evidence of treason. The elder Howard acknowledged concealing high treason in keeping secret false acts of his son regarding royal arms usage. His son was convicted of treason and executed on the 19th of January 1547. On the 27th of January 1547 father and son were attainted by statute. The dying King gave assent to Norfolk's death through royal commissioners. Rumors suggested execution would follow immediately. Norfolk survived because Henry VIII died early morning on the 28th of January 1547. He remained a prisoner throughout Edward VI's reign until released after Mary's accession in July 1553. His estates fell prey to ruling cliques but he later received compensation worth £1,626 annually from Queen Mary I.
William Shakespeare and John Fletcher portrayed Thomas Howard as Earl of Surrey in Henry VIII published 1613. Playwrights conflated actual dates so both father and son appeared as important characters. Modern literature features Norfolk prominently in Philippa Gregory novels The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritance. Ford Madox Ford wrote The Fifth Queen while Hilary Mantel included him across Wolf Hall trilogy books. Film adaptations span decades from Frederick Culley playing him in 1933's The Private Life of Henry VIII to Mark Strong portraying him in 2003 ITV feature. Patrick Troughton appeared in 1970 BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII alongside Michael Gough in 1972 film version. Bernard Hill played the Duke in 2015 BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall with Timothy Spall reprising role second series. Peter Firth portrayed Norfolk in 2024 series Shardlake based on C.J. Sansom book series. These portrayals reflect enduring fascination with a man who navigated Tudor politics through multiple royal marriages and survived execution attempts.
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Common questions
When was Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk born and what happened to his family after the Battle of Bosworth?
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk entered the world on the 10th of March 1473. His grandfather John Howard died at Bosworth in 1485 fighting for Richard III against Henry Tudor which resulted in the forfeiture of their titles and most properties.
What role did Thomas Howard play during the Battle of Flodden on the 9th of September 1513?
Thomas Howard joined his brother Edmund along with barons Dacre and Monteagle to lead the English army against Scottish forces near Branxton. Despite numerical inferiority they decisively crushed the enemy while King James IV himself fell in the battle giving the Howards enormous prestige both socially and at court.
How did Thomas Howard influence events surrounding Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey between 1529 and 1530?
By 1529 matters of state were increasingly handled by Norfolk alongside his brother-in-law Thomas Boleyn and the Duke of Suffolk who pressed King Henry VIII to remove Cardinal Wolsey. In October the King sent Howard and the Duke of Suffolk to obtain the great seal from the Cardinal before Wolsey died in Leicester on the 30th of November 1530.
What actions did Thomas Howard take when the Pilgrimage of Grace broke out in Lincolnshire during October 1536?
When the Pilgrimage of Grace broke out in Lincolnshire during October 1536 Norfolk shared command with George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury to open negotiations with insurgent leader Robert Aske at Scawsby Leys near Doncaster. The Howards were outnumbered having only five thousand to seven thousand men against more than forty thousand rebels yet Norfolk negotiated promises to avoid being massacred by insurgent forces.
Why was Thomas Howard arrested on the 12th of December 1546 and how did he survive execution?
On the 12th of December 1546 both Norfolk and his son Henry Earl of Surrey were arrested and sent to the Tower of London for treasonous acts regarding royal arms usage. Norfolk survived because Henry VIII died early morning on the 28th of January 1547 after giving assent to Norfolk's death through royal commissioners while rumors suggested execution would follow immediately.