Howard family facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Howard family
Noble family
Coat of arms of Howard, granted to Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk
Country	Kingdom of England, United Kingdom
Founded	1483; 542 years ago (1483)
Founder	John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk
Current head	Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk
Titles	See list Extant titles Duke of Norfolk Cardinal protector of England Earl of Arundel Earl of Surrey Earl of Norfolk Earl of Effingham Earl of Nottingham Earl of Berkshire Earl of Norwich Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent Baron Stafford Baron Lanerton Baron Furnivall Baron Howard Baron Howard of Castle Rising Baron Howard of Charlton Baron Howard of Effingham Baron Howard of Escrick Baron Howard of Glossop Baron Howard of Henderskelfe Baron Howard of Marnhull Baron Howard of Penrith Baron Howard of Rising Baron Howard de Walden
Estate(s)	Arundel Castle Castle Howard Carlton Towers Framlingham Castle Bungay Castle Clun Castle Naworth Castle Charlton Park Corby Castle Greystoke Castle
Cadet branches	Howards of Effingham Howards of Carlisle Howards of Suffolk Howards of Penrith Howards of Corby Castle

The Howard family is a very old and important noble family from England. It was started by John Howard in 1483. He was made the first Duke of Norfolk by King Richard III of England.

The Howards have been a big part of the peerage (a system of noble titles) since the 1400s. They are still the most important Dukes and Earls in England. They also hold a special job called Earl Marshal of England.

During the English Reformation, when England changed its main religion, many Howards stayed Catholic. They were one of the most well-known families to do so. Two members, Philip Howard and William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, are remembered as important figures for their faith.

The main line of the family holds the title of Duke of Norfolk. They are also the Earl of Arundel, Earl of Surrey, and Earl of Norfolk. They inherited the Arundel title in 1580. This happened when the Howards became the family next in line to the FitzAlans.

Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, married Mary FitzAlan. She became the heir to the Arundel family's lands. Her son was Philip Howard. Because of this marriage, the current Duke of Norfolk uses the name FitzAlan-Howard. Their main home is Arundel Castle.

There are also several other important branches of the Howard family. These include the Howards of Effingham, Howards of Carlisle, Howards of Suffolk, and Howards of Penrith.

The Howards have played a big role throughout English and later British history. They claim to be related to Hereward the Wake, a famous English hero. John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, fought and died for King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

The Howards became important again under the new Tudor kings and queens. They helped defend England from a Scottish invasion at the Battle of Flodden. Later, Catherine Howard became the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. Her uncle, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was a very powerful person in Henry VIII's government.

Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, was the leader of the English fleet. This fleet famously defeated the invading Spanish Armada.

Arundel Castle has been owned by the Duke of Norfolk's family for over 400 years. It is still their main home. It is a very important historic building in England.

Family Beginnings

Arundel Castle, a historic home of the Howard family.

The Howard family has a long history. Some later Howards said they were related to Hereward the Wake. He was a famous English fighter who resisted the Norman conquest of England. Hereward became a well-known hero in English folklore.

A family tree made in 1665 said the Howards came from the Howarth family in Rochdale. It suggested they were related to William Howard of Wigenhall. This William Howard was said to have received land for his service to King Henry I. However, this early history has been debated by historians.

The family's clear history begins with Sir William Howard (died 1308). He was a judge in Norfolk. He was called to be a justice in the House of Commons in 1295. Sir William's son, Sir John Howard I, became the Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. He married Joan de Cornwall, who was a granddaughter of Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall.

Important Moments in History

Anne Boleyn, one of King Henry VIII's wives, was related to the Howards.

Sir William's great-great-great-grandson, Sir Robert Howard, married Lady Margaret Mowbray. She was the daughter of Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk. The Mowbray line of Dukes ended in 1476. The last Mowbray Duke's heir, Anne Mowbray, died young.

After this, King Richard III of England made John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, a new Duke in 1483. John was also made the hereditary Earl Marshal. John's son, Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, was the grandfather of two English queens: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Both were wives of Henry VIII.

Catherine Howard, another queen married to Henry VIII, also came from the Howard family.

The Howard family became known for staying Catholic during the English Reformation. This was a time when England changed its official religion. Because of their faith, they often could not take their places in the House of Lords.

Some family members faced difficulties because of their Catholic beliefs. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, lost his titles in 1547. His son, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, also lost his titles in 1572. Norfolk's son, Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, was put in the Tower of London for his Catholicism in 1585. He stayed there for over ten years until he died in 1595.

The titles of Duke and Earl Marshal were sometimes taken away and then given back to the Howards. Before King Charles II finally gave the titles back for good, the Howards inherited the old title of Earl of Arundel. They also formed new family branches that still exist today.

One branch of the Howard family has lived at Castle Howard for over 300 years. It is one of England's most beautiful country homes.

Here are some of the main branches of the Howard family:

• The Barons Howard of Penrith come from a younger brother of the 12th Duke.
• The Earls of Suffolk and Berkshire come from the 2nd son of the 4th Duke.
• The Earls of Carlisle come from the third son of the 4th Duke.
• The Earls of Effingham come from the fourth son of the 2nd Duke. This ancestor was a Lord High Admiral and led the fleet against the Spanish Armada.

Howard Family Tree

Howard Family Coat of Arms

The Howard family's original coat of arms had a white diagonal stripe on a red background with small crosses. When the first Howard Duke of Norfolk married the heir of the Dukes of Norfolk, he combined his arms with those of Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk. Thomas was the son of King Edward I. The Howards also added the Mowbray arms.

Starting with the 2nd Duke of Norfolk, the Howards added the checkered blue and gold design of the Warren Earls of Surrey. They became the heirs to this family. Later, the gold lion on red of the Fitzalan Earls of Arundel was added. This happened when Philip Howard inherited the Earldom of Arundel.

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  The original Howard family coat of arms.

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  The main coat of arms used by the Howard Family. It includes a special addition.

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  A special addition to the arms of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. This was given to him for his victory at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. It shows a Scottish lion with an arrow, remembering the Scottish king who died in that battle.

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  The coat of arms of the Warrenne Family, Earls of Surrey.

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  The usual coat of arms for the Howard Dukes of Norfolk after 1842. It includes the FitzAlan arms.

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  The coat of arms of the Howard Earls of Suffolk.

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  The coat of arms of the Howard Earl of Carlisle.

The Earl Marshal Role

The Earl Marshal is a very old and important job in the United Kingdom. It is a title passed down through families. The Earl Marshal is one of the top officers of the state in England.

This role is responsible for organizing big royal events. These include State funerals and the King or Queen's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. The Earl Marshal also helps with matters of heraldry (coats of arms and family histories).

This office is passed down through the Howard family. It is held by the Duke of Norfolk, who is the most senior Duke in the United Kingdom.

Arms of the Duke of Norfolk

Adopted 1842 by the future 14th Duke of Norfolk, who added the prefix "FitzAlan" to his surname and replaced the 4th quarter "Mowbray" with "FitzAlan". Coronet A Coronet of a Duke Crest 1st: Issuant from a Ducal Coronet Or a pair of Wings Gules each charged with a Bend between six Cross-crosslets fitchy Argent (Howard); 2nd: On a Chapeau Gules turned up Ermine a Lion statant gardant with tail extended Or gorged with a Ducal Coronet Argent (Thomas of Brotherton); 3rd: On a Mount Vert a Horse passant Argent holding in the mouth a Slip of Oak Vert fructed proper (Fitzalan). Escutcheon Quarterly, 1st: Gules on a Bend between six Cross-crosslets fitchy Argent an Escutcheon Or charged with a Demi-lion rampant pierced through the mouth by an arrow within a Double Tressure flory counterflory of the first (Howard); 2nd: Gules three Lions passant gardant in pale Or, Armed and Langued Azure, in chief a Label of three points Argent (Plantagenet of Norfolk); 3rd: Checky Or and Azure (Warenne); 4th: Gules a Lion rampant Or, Armed and Langued Azure (Fitzalan). Supporters Dexter a Lion, sinister a Horse both Argent the latter holding in the mouth a Slip of Oak Vert fructed proper. Motto Sola Virtus Invicta (Latin for "Virtue alone is unconquered"). Orders Often, the coat of arms of the Duke of Norfolk appears with the Garter circlet of the Order of the Garter surrounding the shield, as seen in the arms of the 17th Duke of Norfolk. However, this is not hereditary; the 17th Duke did not become a Knight of the Garter until 22 April 1983. The 18th Duke of Norfolk, as of 2017, had not been appointed to the Order of the Garter. Other elements Placed behind the shield are two gold batons in saltire enamelled at the ends in black, which represent the Duke of Norfolk's office as Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England. Symbolism The shield on the bend in the first quarter of the arms was granted as an augmentation of honour by Henry VIII to the 2nd Duke of Norfolk, to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Flodden. It is a modification of the Royal coat of arms of Scotland. Instead of its normal rampant position, the lion is shown cut in half with an arrow through its mouth, commemorating the death of King James IV at the battle.

Howard Family Titles

Title	Grantee	Created	Extinct	Notes
Duke of Norfolk		28 June 1483		The most important duke title in England.
Earl of Arundel				The most important earl title in England. It has been connected to the Duke of Norfolk since 1660.
Earl of Surrey				Connected to the Duke of Norfolk since 1660.
Baron Howard of Effingham	Lord William Howard	1554
Earl of Nottingham (1596 creation)	Charles Howard, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham	1596	1681
Baron Howard de Walden	Admiral Lord Thomas Howard	1597		This title has been held by many different families.
Earl of Suffolk (1603 creation)		1603
Earl of Berkshire (1626 creation)	Lord Thomas Howard	1626
Baron Howard of Escrick	Edward Howard	12 April 1628	29 April 1715
Baron Stafford (1640 creation)	Lord William Howard	1640
Viscount Stafford		1640	1762
Earl of Stafford	Mary Howard, 1st Baroness Stafford	1688
Earl of Norfolk (1644 creation)	Thomas Howard, 14th/21st Earl of Arundel	1644
Earl of Carlisle (1661 creation)	Charles Howard	20 April 1661		The first Earl was also made Viscount Howard by Oliver Cromwell, but this title ended when the monarchy was restored.
Earl of Bindon	Henry Howard	30 January 1706	8 February 1722	Held with the Earl of Suffolk from 1709 to 1722.
Earl of Effingham (1731 creation)	Francis Howard, 7th Baron Howard of Effingham	8 December 1731	11 December 1816
Earl of Effingham (1837 craetion)	General Kenneth Alexander Howard, 11th Baron Howard of Effingham	27 January 1837
Baron Howard of Glossop	Lord Edward George Fitzalan Howard	26 November 1869		This title has been connected to the Dukedom of Norfolk since 1975.
Baron Lanerton	Admiral The Honourable Edward Granville George Howard	1 January 1874	8 October 1880
Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent	Lord Edmund Bernard Talbot née FitzAlan-Howard	28 April 1921	17 May 1962
Baron Howard of Penrith	Esmé William Howard	10 July 1930
Baron Howard of Henderskelfe	Major George Anthony Geoffrey Howard, JP	1 July 1983	27 November 1984	This was a Life Peerage, meaning it was for his lifetime only.
Baron Howard of Rising	Greville Patrick Charles Howard	4 June 2004		This is also a Life Peerage.