Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Arundel
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Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel and English Catholic martyr
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| Born | 28 June 1557 Strand, London, England |
| Died | 19 October 1595 (aged 38) Tower of London, London |
| Buried | Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London 1595 – 1624
Fitzalan Chapel, Arundel Castle 1624 – 1971 Arundel Cathedral 1971 to present. |
| Noble family | Howard |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Dacre |
| Issue | Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel |
| Parents | Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk Lady Mary FitzAlan |
Philip Howard (born June 28, 1557, died October 19, 1595) was an important English nobleman. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Philip Howard became a saint in 1970, known as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He faced many challenges because of his Catholic faith. He was sent to the Tower of London in 1585. He stayed there for ten years until he passed away.
Contents
Philip Howard: A Nobleman's Story
Early Life and Family
Philip Howard was born in London in 1557. This was a time of big changes in England, known as the English Reformation. He was the only son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. His mother was Lady Mary FitzAlan.
Philip was named after his godfather, King Philip II of Spain. King Philip was married to Queen Mary I of England. Philip's mother became very ill and died soon after his birth. This illness was common due to poor hygiene at the time.
A Difficult Childhood
From age seven, Philip lived in a former monastery. As the eldest son, he was expected to become the next Duke of Norfolk. He held the title of Earl of Surrey from birth.
In 1569, Philip's father arranged his marriage to Anne Dacre. Both Philip and Anne were only 12 years old. The ceremony was repeated two years later.
Philip's father was a Catholic who had a Protestant education. He was arrested in 1569. This was because he was involved in plans against Queen Elizabeth I. He wanted to marry Mary, Queen of Scots. He also hoped to bring back Catholicism to England.
His father was released but soon joined another secret plan. This plan aimed to remove Elizabeth from the throne. When his involvement was discovered, he was arrested again in 1571. Philip's father was found guilty of a very serious crime against the queen. He was executed in 1572 when Philip was almost fifteen.
After his father's death, Philip lost many family lands and titles. He and his siblings were cared for by their uncle, Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton. Philip went to study at St John's College, Cambridge.
Marriage and Inheritance
Philip finished his studies in 1574, at age 17. He then began to attend Queen Elizabeth I's royal court. This was only a few years after his father's execution. Philip became a favorite of the Queen.
In 1578, his maternal aunt, Jane FitzAlan, passed away. She had no children who lived. This made Philip the only living descendant of his maternal grandfather. He became the heir to the Earldom of Arundel. This included Arundel Castle, the family's main home.
After his grandfather died in 1580, Philip inherited everything. The Queen then made him the Earl of Arundel. The title of Earl of Arundel has stayed with the Howard family ever since. Philip is sometimes called the 13th or 20th Earl of Arundel. This is because of times when the title was lost and then given back.
Challenges of Faith
Choosing His Path
In 1581, Philip attended a debate in the Tower of London. It was between Protestant thinkers and Catholic priests. This event made him think deeply about his faith. He decided to return to the Catholic Church. This was a dangerous choice at the time.
Philip was baptized Catholic but raised Protestant. However, his family had strong Catholic roots. His maternal grandfather was a devoted Catholic. His father, also Catholic, had been punished for his plans against Queen Elizabeth.
In 1583, Philip was suspected of being involved in a secret plan. He prepared to leave England. But Queen Elizabeth visited his home and ordered him to stay there.
That same year, his wife, Anne Dacre, secretly returned to the Catholic Church. This was against the law in England. She later helped Philip to also return to his Catholic faith.
On September 30, 1584, Philip secretly became Catholic again. A Jesuit priest, Father William Weston, helped him. Philip tried to keep his faith a secret while at court. He then decided to focus on his family and faith at home.
Imprisonment in the Tower
The next year, Philip tried to leave England. He wanted to live openly as a Catholic with his family. However, his plan was betrayed by a trusted servant. English ships working for the Queen stopped his ship. He was arrested on April 25, 1585.
Philip was an important person. He was related to the Queen. Some Catholics who wanted to change the ruler saw him as a possible heir to the throne. This made him a target.
He was charged with being Catholic and leaving England without permission. He was also accused of being part of secret plans related to his faith. In 1586, he was fined a large sum of money. He was sentenced to prison for as long as the Queen wished.
Philip was offered freedom if he would attend a Protestant church service. He refused. In 1588, he was accused of praying for the victory of the Spanish Armada. This was a foreign fleet that tried to invade England. He was found guilty of a very serious crime against the queen in 1589. He was sentenced to death and lost all his titles and property.
Queen Elizabeth I never signed his death warrant. But Philip was never told this. He lived in constant fear of execution. He found comfort in a dog. This dog helped him send messages to other prisoners, like Father Robert Southwell. They became friends through these messages.
Philip scratched a message into his cell wall. It said, "The more affliction we endure for Christ in this world, the more glory we shall obtain with Christ in the next." This message can still be seen today. He spent many hours each day in prayer. He was known for his patience and kindness to his guards. Philip spent over ten years in the Tower. He refused another offer of freedom if he would debate a Protestant leader.
Final Years and Legacy
A Saint's End
In the autumn of 1595, Philip became very ill with dysentery. He asked the Queen if he could see his wife and son. His son had been born after his imprisonment. The Queen said he could if he attended a Protestant service. Philip replied that if his faith was why he suffered, he was sorry he only had one life to lose.
He remained in the Tower and never saw his family again. Philip died alone on October 19, 1595. Some people thought he might have been poisoned, but this was never confirmed.
Philip was first buried in the church of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower. His father's remains were also there. In 1624, his wife and son received permission to move his remains. They were moved to Arundel Castle and later to Arundel Cathedral.
Philip's wife, Anne Dacre, never remarried. She spent her life writing Christian poetry and helping those in need. She passed away in 1630.
In 1604, Philip's son, Thomas Howard, regained the family's titles and estates. This happened after King James I came to the English throne.
Remembering Philip Howard
Philip Howard was made a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He is also a patron saint of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. Arundel Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Philip Howard.
In 1971, Philip's remains were moved to a new shrine in the cathedral. This shrine is now a place where people go to pray.
While in prison, Philip spent much time writing. He translated Catholic poems and religious books. These writings were secretly taken out of the Tower. They were then published in other countries. His works include a translation of An Epistle in the Person of Jesus Christ to the Faithful Soule. He also wrote about the importance of good virtues.
His life and writings were later collected by the poet Louise Imogen Guiney. This was published in her 1939 book, The Recusant Poets.
| Saint Philip Howard |
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Shrine of St Philip Howard
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| Martyr | |
| Born | 28 June 1557 Strand, London |
| Died | 19 October 1595 (aged 38) Tower of London, London, England |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI |
| Major shrine | The Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St. Philip Howard (Arundel Cathedral) |
| Feast | 19 October, 25 October |
| Patronage | Diocese of Arundel and Brighton |
| Peerage of England | ||
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| Preceded by Henry Fitzalan |
Earl of Arundel Baron Maltravers 1580–1595 |
Succeeded by Thomas Howard |
See also
In Spanish: Felipe Howard para niños
- Philip Howard's great-grandson, also named Philip Howard, who became a Catholic cardinal.
