Henry Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Grace The Duke of Norfolk KG PC
Portrait of Henry Howard 13th Duke of Norfolk
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
In office 6 July 1841 – 30 August 1841
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Prime Minister	The Viscount Melbourne
Preceded by	The Earl of Ilchester
Succeeded by	The Marquess of Lothian
Master of the Horse
In office 11 July 1846 – 21 February 1852
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Prime Minister	Lord John Russell
Preceded by	The Earl of Jersey
Succeeded by	The Earl of Jersey
Lord Steward of the Household
In office 4 January 1853 – 10 January 1854
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Prime Minister	The Earl of Aberdeen
Preceded by	The Duke of Montrose
Succeeded by	The Earl Spencer
Earl Marshal
In office 16 March 1842 – 18 February 1856
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Preceded by	Bernard Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 16 March 1842 – 18 February 1856
Preceded by	Bernard Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk
Succeeded by	Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk
Personal details
Born	Hereditary Peerage 12 August 1791 (1791-08-12)
Died	18 February 1856 (1856-02-19) (aged 64)
Resting place	Hereditary Peerage
Nationality	British
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Lady Charlotte Leveson-Gower
Children	Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Glossop Mary Foley, Baroness Foley Lord Bernard Fitzalan-Howard Lady Adeliza Manners
Parents	Bernard Edward Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk Lady Elizabeth Belasyse

Henry Charles Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk, was an important British politician. He lived from 1791 to 1856. He was a member of the Whig political party. He is remembered for being the first Roman Catholic to serve in the House of Commons after a law called Catholic Emancipation was passed.

Early Life and Family Background

Henry Charles Howard was born on August 12, 1791. His father was Bernard Edward Howard, 12th Duke of Norfolk. His mother was Lady Elizabeth Belasyse. When his father became the Duke of Norfolk in 1815, Henry received the special title of Earl of Surrey. This is called a courtesy title, which means it's a title used by courtesy, not a legal one.

A Career in Politics

Henry Howard began his political career in the House of Commons. This is one of the two parts of the British Parliament. On May 4, 1829, he was elected to represent the area of Horsham. When he took his seat, he made history. He was the first Roman Catholic to sit in the House of Commons after a law called Catholic Emancipation was passed. This law allowed Catholics to have more rights in public life.

He represented Horsham until 1832. After that, he represented West Sussex from 1832 to 1841. In 1837, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of important advisors to the British monarch. He also worked as the Treasurer of the Household from 1837 to 1841.

In 1841, Henry Howard was called to the House of Lords. This is the other part of the British Parliament. He was given his father's lesser title, Baron Maltravers. He briefly served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard in 1841. The next year, in 1842, he became the Duke of Norfolk after his father passed away.

Important Government Roles

When the Whig party returned to power in 1846, Henry Howard was given another important job. He became the Master of the Horse. This role involved looking after the Queen's horses and royal stables. He held this position until 1852.

Later, he served as Lord Steward of the Household from 1853 to 1854. This role involved managing the royal household. In 1848, he was honored as a Knight of the Garter. This is a very high honor in Britain.

Supporting Sports

In 1854, the Duke of Norfolk made an agreement that helped local sports. He agreed to lease land near Bramall Lane to the Sheffield Cricket Club. This land is now a famous sports ground. It is currently home to the Sheffield United football team.

His Family and Legacy

Henry Charles Howard married Lady Charlotte Sophia Leveson-Gower in 1814. They had five children together:

• Henry Granville Fitzalan-Howard, 14th Duke of Norfolk (1815–1860).
• Edward George Fitzalan-Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Glossop (1818–1883).
• Lady Mary Charlotte Howard (1822–1897).
• Lord Bernard Thomas Fitzalan-Howard (1825–1846).
• Lady Adeliza Matilda Fitzalan-Howard (1829–1904).

In 1842, the Duke arranged for his children to add "Fitzalan" to their last name. So, their family name became Fitzalan-Howard. This was done to honor an important ancestor, Mary FitzAlan. She married Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, in 1555.

Henry Charles Howard, the 13th Duke of Norfolk, passed away in February 1856. He was 64 years old. His eldest son, Henry, became the next Duke of Norfolk. His wife, Charlotte, lived until July 1870.