Lord Edmund Howard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lord Edmund Howard
Tournament scene, Jörg Breu the Elder c. 1510–1515
Spouse(s)	Joyce Culpeper Dorothy Troyes Margaret Mundy (or Munday)
Issue
Henry Howard Sir Charles Howard Sir George Howard Catherine, Queen of England Margaret Howard Mary, Lady Trafford
Noble family	Howard
Father	Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk
Mother	Elizabeth Tilney
Born	c. 1478
Died	19 March 1539 (aged 60–61)

Lord Edmund Howard (born around 1478 – died 19 March 1539) was an important figure in English history. He was the third son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, and his first wife, Elizabeth Tilney. His family had strong connections to the royal family. His sister, Elizabeth, was the mother of King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. Even more directly, Edmund was the father of King Henry VIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard. This made him a key relative to two of England's queens.

Who Was Lord Edmund Howard?

Edmund Howard was born around 1478. His father, Thomas Howard, became the 2nd Duke of Norfolk. Edmund had many brothers and sisters from his father's first marriage. These included Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, who became a very powerful person at court, and Edward Howard, who was a close friend of King Henry VIII.

Edmund also had several half-brothers and sisters from his father's second marriage to Agnes Tilney. This large family meant he was connected to many important noble families in England.

Edmund Howard's Life and Work

Edmund Howard spent his younger years at the royal court. In 1509, he helped organize the jousting tournaments for the coronation of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Even though his older brothers were very successful and close to the King, Edmund didn't seem to gain the same royal favor. He was known for spending money quickly. He used up the lands his first wife brought into their marriage. To avoid people he owed money to, he even had to leave England for a time. During this period, his many children were cared for by other family members.

Despite these challenges, Edmund took part in important events. He was a Marshal of the Horse at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. This was a major battle where England fought against Scotland. He also attended the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. This was a grand meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. Edmund even took part in the tournaments held there.

Around 1530 or 1531, with help from Thomas Cromwell, Edmund became the Controller of Calais. Calais was an important English town in France at the time. However, he was removed from this job in 1539. This might have been because of poor health or because he hadn't achieved much in the role.

Edmund Howard passed away on 19 March 1539. This was about a year before his daughter, Catherine Howard, became Queen of England. His last wife, Margaret, later served Catherine when she became queen.

Edmund Howard's Marriages and Children

Edmund Howard married three times and had children with his first wife.

First Marriage to Joyce Culpeper

Edmund's first wife was Joyce Culpeper (who lived from about 1480 to 1528). She was a widow with five children from her first marriage. These children became Edmund's stepchildren.

Edmund and Joyce had six children together:

• Henry Howard
• Sir Charles Howard
• Sir George Howard (c.1525–1575)
• Margaret Howard (c.1515–1572), who married Sir Thomas Arundell.
• Catherine Howard (c. 1524–1542), who later married King Henry VIII.
• Mary Howard, who married Edmund Trafford.

Later Marriages

Edmund married a second time to Dorothy Troyes. She was the daughter of Thomas Troyes and the widow of Sir William Uvedale.

His third marriage was to Margaret Mundy (or Munday) before July 1537. Margaret was the daughter of Sir John Mundy, who had been the Lord Mayor of London. She was also a widow. Edmund did not have any children with his second or third wives.