John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk

Lore & Background

John Howard, born about 1425, was the son of Sir Robert Howard of Tendring Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk by his wife Margaret de Mowbray, eldest daughter of Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk. He succeeded his father in 1436 and his grandfather in 1437. He was a staunch adherent of the House of York during the Wars of the Roses, knighted by King Edward IV at the Battle of Towton on 29 March 1461. He was appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household in September 1468. He supported Richard III's accession, and at his behest took the nine year old Richard of Shrewsbury from Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London. He was created Duke of Norfolk on 28 June 1483. He was slain at the Battle of Bosworth Field on 22 August 1485.

Reader's Guide

John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, was a steadfast supporter of the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses, serving under both Edward IV and Richard III. He began his career in the household of his cousin, the Duke of Norfolk, and was knighted by Edward IV after the Battle of Towton. Over time, he became a member of the royal household, serving as a carver to the king, and was later appointed Treasurer of the Royal Household. He was also a Knight of the Body and served as High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. Howard was involved in military campaigns against the Lancastrians and took part in an expedition to Guyenne that ended in defeat at Castillon. He was one of three ambassadors sent to Burgundy to arrange the marriage of Margaret of York to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, and later escorted her there for the wedding. In local affairs, he interfered in the abbatial elections at St John’s Abbey in Colchester, helping a Yorkist supporter win. By 1470 he had become wealthy, holding sixteen manors in the Stoke-by-Nayland area, and later purchased additional lands forfeited by the Earl of Oxford. He was summoned to Parliament as Lord Howard and admitted to the Order of the Garter. After Edward IV’s death, he supported Richard III’s accession, taking the young Richard of Shrewsbury from sanctuary to the Tower of London. He bore the crown at Richard’s coronation and was created Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, and Lord High Admiral. He died alongside Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field. His principal residences were Stoke-by-Nayland and later Framlingham Castle in Suffolk.

Did You Know?

• John Howard was descended from English royalty through both sides of his family, including from Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, son of King John, and from Thomas of Brotherton, son of Edward I.
• He was described at one point as 'wode as a wilde bullok'.
• He bore the royal banner at the funeral of King Edward IV in April 1483.
• He was slain in single combat by Sir John Savage, according to the Ballad of Lady Bessy.