Robert Howard (Royalist) facts for kids

Sir Robert Howard (Knight of the Bath) was an important English landowner and a member of Parliament. He was also a soldier who supported the King during the English Civil War. Sir Robert Howard lived from 1598 to 1653.

Who Was Sir Robert Howard?

Robert Howard was born in 1598. He was the fifth son of Thomas Howard, the first Earl of Suffolk, and his second wife, Catherine Knyvet. He had several famous relatives, including his nephew, the playwright Sir Robert Howard. His brothers included Theophilus, the second Earl of Suffolk, and Thomas, Earl of Berkshire.

In 1626, Robert Howard inherited Clun Castle in Shropshire. He became the owner of the castle after his older brother, Sir Charles Howard, passed away. This inheritance was part of his great-uncle, the Earl of Nottingham's, will.

Sir Robert Howard's Family Life

Sir Robert Howard had a long-term relationship with a woman named Frances Villiers. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Coke. Frances had been married at a young age to John Villiers, who was the brother of a powerful royal figure, George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham.

Frances and Robert had a son in 1624. He was first called Robert Wright, but later took the name Villiers and was known as Robert Danvers. Because of their relationship, Robert Howard faced legal trouble. He was held in the Fleet prison for a time. Frances also faced penalties and had to leave England for a while.

Later, Frances returned to England and lived with Robert Howard again. They had more children together. In 1635, Robert was questioned again about their relationship. He refused to say where Frances was. He was held in prison for three months and had to promise not to contact Frances again.

Sir Robert Howard in Politics

In 1623, Robert Howard became a Member of Parliament for Bishops Castle in Shropshire. He was chosen to be a Member of Parliament many times after that. This included the two Parliaments in 1640, known as the Short and Long Parliaments.

During this time, a special court called the Star Chamber made some unfair decisions against Howard. However, these decisions were later found to be unlawful. Everyone involved in the unfair rulings was fined, and Robert Howard received money as compensation for what happened.

Sir Robert Howard as a Royalist Soldier

Robert Howard showed his loyalty to the King early on. In 1616, when Prince Charles (who later became King Charles I) was made Prince of Wales, Robert and his brother William were both made Knights of the Bath. This was a special honor given by the King.

In 1642, Robert Howard had to leave the House of Commons. He had been involved in an incident with the King's commissioner. However, he did attend a special meeting of Parliament held in Oxford in 1641.

During the English Civil War, Robert Howard was a military leader. He commanded a group of soldiers called dragoons. He was in charge of defending Bridgnorth Castle when it was attacked by the Parliamentarian army in 1646. The castle was under siege for three weeks before it surrendered. After the siege, the castle tower was left leaning, even more than the famous Tower of Pisa.

After the war, Robert Howard was fined. He had to pay 952 pounds to get back his lands, which had been taken away as punishment for supporting the King.

Later Life and Family

St. Georges Church, Clun, where Robert Howard was buried.

In 1648, Robert Howard finally married Catherine Nevill. Frances Villiers had passed away in 1645. Catherine was the daughter of Henry Nevill, 9th Baron Bergavenny. Robert and Catherine had three children together.

Sir Robert Howard passed away on April 22, 1653, at a place called the Hall in the Forest. He was buried at Clun. After his death, his wife Catherine remarried. There is a special metal plaque in St George's church in Clun that remembers Robert Howard and states he was 63 years old when he died.

Robert Danvers

Robert Howard's son, Robert, was recognized by his mother's husband as his heir. This son later became the 2nd Viscount Purbeck after his mother's husband died in 1657. However, during the Civil War, Robert gave up his claim to this title.

Robert's oldest son, also named Robert, tried to claim the title later. But in 1678, the House of Lords said he could not have it. This was because his father was considered to have been born outside of marriage. When Robert got married, he took his wife's name and became known as Robert Danvers.

Images for kids

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  Frances Coke, Lady Purbeck, who lived with Howard for many years.