Rachel Evans
The Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic, a state of affairs known as recusancy in England. The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with the reigning monarch, particularly during and after the reign of Henry VIII. The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is the hereditary Earl Marshal of England and is the country's premier lay Catholic. He was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school, and is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Duke of Norfolk | Edward Fitzalan-Howard |
| Date of birth | 2 December 1956 |
| Schools attended | Ampleforth College, Lincoln College, Oxford |
| Parents | Miles Francis Stapleton Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk, and Anne Mary Teresa Constable-Maxwell |
| Number of siblings | 1 brother and 3 sisters |
| Position | Hereditary Earl Marshal, Chief Butler of England (disputed), titular head of the House of Howard |
| Residence | Arundel Castle |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Recognition by the Vatican | England's senior representative of the Catholic faith |
| Other titles | Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) |
| Family history | The Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic, except for a few exceptions. |
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What You'll Learn
- The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is Catholic
- The Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic
- Catholicism was illegal in England, but some Catholic noble families continued to practise
- The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with the monarch
- The Catholic Church canonised Philip Howard, who was executed for his faith
The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is Catholic
The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with the reigning monarch, particularly during and after the reign of Henry VIII. In 1546, Thomas Howard, the third Duke, fell out of favour with the dying Henry and was stripped of his titles. He narrowly escaped execution and remained imprisoned until the accession of the Catholic Queen Mary to the English throne in 1553, upon which his lands and titles were restored.
After Mary's death in 1558, her sister Elizabeth I became queen. The fourth Duke of Norfolk was imprisoned for scheming to marry Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. He was later executed for treason and his lands and titles became forfeit.
In 1660, the fourth Duke's great-great-grandson, the 23rd Earl of Arundel, was restored to the family lands and dukedom. The fifth Duke was mentally infirm and never married. He was succeeded by his brother Henry, through whom the 7th, 8th, and 9th Dukes of Norfolk were descended.
The Catholic Dukes of Norfolk have played a role in orchestrating some of Britain's most Anglican royal events. The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, was responsible for the arrangement of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and the coronation of King Charles III.
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The Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic
The first Duke of Norfolk, John Howard, was created in 1483. He died in battle in 1485, and his son Thomas succeeded him as the second Duke of Norfolk. The Howard family has held different titles going back more than seven centuries. On occasion, these have been stripped from them—most notably during the reign of Elizabeth I, when the unrelentingly Catholic head of the family, Philip Howard, had his dukedom removed along with all his income.
The Catholic Dukes of Norfolk were often in conflict with the reigning monarch, particularly during the reign of Henry VIII. In 1546, Thomas Howard, the third Duke of Norfolk, fell out of favour with the king and was stripped of his titles and lands. He narrowly escaped execution and remained imprisoned until the death of Henry VIII and the accession of the Catholic Queen Mary to the English throne in 1553, upon which his lands and titles were restored.
After Queen Mary's death in 1558, her sister Elizabeth I became queen. The fourth Duke of Norfolk was imprisoned for scheming to marry Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. He was eventually released under house arrest and participated in the Ridolfi plot to enthrone Mary and Catholicism in England. He was executed for treason in 1572, and his lands and titles became forfeit once more.
The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is the 18th Duke and the country's premier lay Catholic. He was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school, and is recognized by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith. He is the hereditary Earl Marshal of England and was responsible for arranging the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.
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Catholicism was illegal in England, but some Catholic noble families continued to practise
Catholicism has a long and complex history in England, with the religion experiencing both persecution and tolerance at various points in time. From the 16th century, with the rise of the Protestant Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England, Catholicism faced significant challenges and was even made illegal during certain periods. However, this did not stop some noble families from continuing to practise their faith, often secretly and at great risk.
One notable example of a Catholic noble family is the Dukes of Norfolk, who have historically been one of the most prominent and influential families in English history. The Duke of Norfolk holds the unique position of Earl Marshal, a hereditary role that includes organizing coronations and state funerals. Despite the family's prominence, they remained steadfast in their Catholic faith, even when it meant facing legal consequences and social ostracism.
Catholicism was outlawed in England during the reign of Elizabeth I, and practicing the faith became a treasonable offense. This meant that Catholic nobles, including the Dukes of Norfolk, had to choose between their faith and their loyalty to the crown. Many Catholic families, including the Norfolks, chose to continue practising their faith in secret, holding masses in private chapels and maintaining a network of underground priests.
The Dukes of Norfolk went to great lengths to maintain their Catholic faith. They built secret chapels in their homes, such as at Arundel Castle, and employed Catholic tutors to educate their children. They also supported Catholic refugees and priests, providing them with shelter and protection. Their commitment to the faith often came at a cost, as they faced fines, imprisonment, and even death sentences for their refusal to abandon Catholicism.
Despite the challenges and risks, the Dukes of Norfolk and other Catholic noble families persevered in their faith. They played a significant role in the preservation and continuation of Catholicism in England, ensuring that the religion survived even during its most persecuted times. Their influence and persistence also contributed to a gradual shift towards religious tolerance in England, as it became evident that Catholicism could not be eradicated despite its illegal status.
Today, the Dukes of Norfolk remain one of the few noble families in England who continue to openly practise Catholicism. Their story serves as a testament to the resilience and dedication of those who maintained their faith during a time when Catholicism was illegal in the country. It also highlights the complex religious history of England and the enduring impact of noble families on the country's religious landscape.
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The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with the monarch
The Howard family, a dynasty of the Dukes of Norfolk, have historically been Catholic. This has often resulted in conflict with the reigning monarch, particularly during and after the reign of Henry VIII.
The Catholic faith of the Howards led to accusations of treason and plots to overthrow the monarch. In 1546, Thomas Howard, the third Duke of Norfolk, fell out of favour with Henry VIII and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was stripped of his titles and lands, only regaining them when the Catholic Queen Mary ascended the throne in 1553. Thomas Howard's grandson, the fourth Duke of Norfolk, was imprisoned for scheming to marry Queen Elizabeth I's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. He was later executed in 1572 for treason, specifically for his involvement in the Ridolfi Plot to overthrow Elizabeth I and restore Catholicism in England.
The conflict between the Catholic Howards and the monarch continued with the fourth Duke's son, Philip Howard, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for over ten years due to his Catholicism. He was put on trial for praying for the success of the Spanish Armada and died in prison, leading to his canonisation as one of England's 'Forty Catholic Martyrs'.
The family regained favour under King James I, who restored the earldoms of Arundel and Surrey to the fourth Duke's grandson, Thomas. However, the conflict between the Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty and the monarch continued, as seen with the fourth Duke's great-great-grandson, who was restored to the family lands and dukedom in 1660 but never married and was described as "mentally infirm."
The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is also a Roman Catholic and is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith. He was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school.
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The Catholic Church canonised Philip Howard, who was executed for his faith
The Dukes of Norfolk are one of the most prominent noble families in English history, with a long and complex relationship with Catholicism. While not all members of the family have been Catholic, the faith has played a significant role in their history, and at times, it has been a source of conflict and tragedy. One of the most notable figures in this regard is Philip Howard, the 20th Earl of Arundel and Surrey, who was later also made the 4th Duke of Norfolk posthumously.
Philip Howard was born in 1557, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a time when Catholicism was illegal in England. Howard was raised Catholic by his mother, Lady Margaret Douglas, despite the religious persecution that Catholics faced during this era. As a young man, Howard married Anne Dacre, with whom he had one child, a daughter named Elizabeth. However, his marriage broke down due to his infidelity, and he traveled to Europe, where he converted to Protestantism.
Upon his return to England, Howard reconciled with his wife and resumed practicing Catholicism, which put him at odds with the Elizabethan regime. In 1585, he was accused of conspiracy in the Babington Plot, an attempt to assassinate Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic monarch. Despite his assertions of innocence, Howard was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.
During his imprisonment in the Tower of London, Howard underwent a spiritual transformation. He reconverted to Catholicism, finding solace and strength in his faith. He endured harsh conditions and was even denied a proper trial. After spending ten years in captivity, he was executed in October 1595, embracing his death with courage and forgiveness.
Recognizing his bravery and unwavering devotion, the Catholic Church beatified Philip Howard in 1929, acknowledging his status as a martyr for the faith. Subsequently, in 1970, Pope Paul VI canonized him as Saint Philip Howard, formally recognizing his sanctity and including him in the assembly of saints. This canonization served as a testament to Howard's steadfast commitment to his religious beliefs, even in the face of persecution and death.
The story of Philip Howard, the Duke of Norfolk, underscores the complex religious dynamics within English nobility during the Elizabethan era. His canonization by the Catholic Church not only commemorates his sacrifice but also symbolizes the enduring resilience of Catholic faith amidst historical adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic. The current Duke, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is the premier lay Catholic in England and is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith.
The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with the reigning monarch, particularly during and after the reign of Henry VIII. While it was illegal to practice Catholicism, some wealthy families continued to do so quietly. As the years went on, various bills were introduced that targeted Catholics, making it very expensive to practice the religion.
No, not all Dukes of Norfolk have been Catholic. Some clung to their Catholicism, while a few did not practice, and others merely talked about converting.
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