Robert Howard (knight) facts for kids

Sir Robert Howard (born 1385, died 1436) was an English nobleman and a knight. He came from Stoke by Nayland in Suffolk. Robert was the oldest son of John Howard, who was also a knight. His family was important in East Anglia, a region in England.

Sir Robert Howard's Family

Robert's father, John Howard, lived in Norfolk. John had two sons with his second wife, Alice Tendring. Robert was the older son. His younger brother, Henry Howard, died later in an unfortunate event. Robert's mother, Alice, left him her manor (a large estate) in Stoke by Nayland in her will.

Marriage and Important Connections

In 1420, Robert Howard married Lady Margaret Mowbray. She was the daughter of Thomas de Mowbray, who was the first Duke of Norfolk. Margaret lived longer than Robert, until 1459. Her sister, Isabel, married James, who later became Baron Berkeley. This marriage created a strong link between the Berkeley and Howard families that lasted for a very long time. It seems Robert and Margaret chose to marry each other as adults. This was not always common back then, as many marriages were arranged when people were children.

Robert Howard's Life and Career

We do not know a lot about Robert Howard's career. Some early historians made big claims about him. For example, they said he led a fleet of 3,000 men from Lowestoft. They claimed he attacked the French coast while King Henry V was fighting there. However, it is very unlikely this actually happened. Such a big event would surely be written down in official records.

It is more likely that Robert Howard did fight in France. He probably fought alongside his brother-in-law, John Mowbray, who was the second Duke of Norfolk. Duke John spent much of his life fighting in France. Robert Howard was probably part of the Duke's household, meaning he worked for him. After all, he had married the Duke's sister.

In November 1428, Duke John Mowbray's boat hit a pier under London Bridge. Several people from his household were lost in this accident. Both the Duke and Robert Howard survived this event. Robert and his wife probably lived with the Duke at his main castle, Framlingham Castle. They likely stayed there until the Duke died in 1432.

Robert Howard's Children and Legacy

Robert Howard died in 1436. His father, John Howard, died a year later in 1437. Robert's mother had died before both of them. Robert and Margaret had three children: John, Katherine, and Margaret.

Their son, John Howard, became a very important supporter of the third Duke of Norfolk. Later, when a big civil war called the Wars of the Roses started, John Howard played a leading role. He was one of the strongest supporters of the House of York. In 1483, when Richard III became king, he rewarded John Howard. He gave John the title of Duke of Norfolk, which had belonged to the Mowbray family but had no male heir.