
The Duke of Norfolk is a noble title in the Peerage of England, and the current holder of the title is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic, and 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 is a Roman Catholic, and he is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith. He was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school, and holds the hereditary office of Earl Marshal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the current Duke of Norfolk | Edward Fitzalan-Howard |
| Title | 18th Duke of Norfolk |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Recognised by the Vatican as | England's senior representative of the Catholic faith |
| Schooling | Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school |
| Ancestral history | All past and present dukes have been descended from Edward I |
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What You'll Learn
- The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is Catholic
- The Duke is England's senior representative of the Catholic faith
- Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic
- The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with monarchs
- The current Duke was educated at a Catholic independent school

The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is Catholic
The Duke of Norfolk is a noble title in the Peerage of England, and the current duke is the most senior non-royal peer in the Peerage of England. The dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic, and 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 Howard family, who have held the title since 1483, are descendants of Edward I.
Edward Fitzalan-Howard was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school, and he has held several notable positions throughout his life. He was a Cub Scout while at school and currently holds two appointments in the Scout Movement. He was Deputy Earl Marshal from 2000 to 2002 and, upon the death of his father in 2002, he inherited the position of Earl Marshal. As hereditary Earl Marshal, he was responsible for the arrangement of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession and coronation of King Charles III.
The Duke of Norfolk lives at Arundel Castle in Sussex, which is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the 2022 Birthday Honours and, as a member of the House of Lords, he has cast only twelve votes, mostly against hunting restrictions.
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The Duke is England's senior representative of the Catholic faith
The Duke of Norfolk is England's most senior non-royal peer and the titular head of the House of Howard. The current Duke, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is the 18th Duke of Norfolk and a Roman Catholic. He is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the Catholic faith.
The Duke of Norfolk is a noble title in the Peerage of England. 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. For example, Thomas Howard, the third Duke, fell out of favour with the dying Henry VIII and was stripped of his titles and lands.
The Howard family remained Catholic during the Tudor period, which was defined by the reign of Henry VII and his Catholic wife, Elizabeth of York, and their children, including Henry VIII. During this time, it was illegal to be Catholic in England, but some great families, such as the Howards, remained Catholic. They were fined for not attending Church of England services regularly.
The current Duke of Norfolk was educated at Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic independent school, before attending Lincoln College, Oxford. He succeeded his father, Miles Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, as the 18th Duke of Norfolk in 2002. In addition to the ducal title, the Dukes of Norfolk also hold the hereditary position of Earl Marshal, which has the duty of organising state occasions such as the coronation of the monarch.
As a member of the House of Lords, the Duke of Norfolk has cast only twelve votes, mostly against hunting restrictions. He was also responsible for the arrangement of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession and coronation of King Charles III.
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Dukes of Norfolk have historically been Catholic
The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is a Roman 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.
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. For example, 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 death of Edward VI and the accession of the Catholic Queen Mary to the English throne in 1553, upon which his lands and titles were restored.
Thomas Howard, the fourth Duke, was imprisoned for scheming to marry Elizabeth's cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. After his release, he 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.
Another example is the fifth Duke, who was mentally infirm and did not marry. He was succeeded by his younger brother Henry, through whom the 7th, 8th, and 9th Dukes of Norfolk were descended.
The Catholic Encyclopedia also provides a list of prominent Catholic Dukes of Norfolk since the Reformation. It mentions John (1430-1485), the first duke of the Howard line; Thomas (1443-1524), his son; Thomas (1473-1554), his son; Thomas (1536-1572), his grandson; Thomas (1627-1677), his great-great-grandson; Henry (1628-1684), brother of Thomas; and Henry (1655-1701), son of Henry.
The Dukes of Norfolk have played a significant role in the history of Catholicism in England, and their religious affiliation has often been a source of conflict with the reigning monarch.
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The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty often resulted in conflict with monarchs
The Duke of Norfolk is a noble title in the Peerage of England. The current holder of the title is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, who is the most senior non-royal peer in the Peerage of England. He is also the titular head of the House of Howard and the only duke in England recognized by the Vatican as the country's senior representative of the Catholic 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. The first duke of the Howard line, John Howard, was created in 1483, and his support for Richard III's accession secured his position. However, his descendants, particularly Thomas Howard, the third Duke, fell out of favour with Henry VIII due to their Catholic faith. Thomas Howard was attainted and imprisoned in the Tower of London, narrowly escaping execution. His lands and titles were restored upon the accession of the Catholic Queen Mary to the English throne in 1553.
Following Queen Mary's death in 1558, her sister, Elizabeth I, became queen. The Duke of Norfolk at the time, Thomas Howard's grandson, was imprisoned for scheming to marry Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. After his release under house arrest, he 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 again.
The conflict between the Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty and the reigning monarchs continued beyond the reign of Elizabeth I. The fourth Duke's great-great-grandson, the 23rd Earl of Arundel, became the fifth Duke of Norfolk in 1660. However, due to his mental infirmity, he never married and had no direct heirs. The duke's younger brother, Henry, became the sixth Duke, and the title passed through the male line until it was inherited by Charles Howard, a grandson of Charles Howard of Greystoke, in 1777.
The Catholic Dukes of Norfolk often faced challenges due to their faith, especially during periods of religious conflict and transition in England. The House of Howard's Catholic faith sometimes put them at odds with the reigning monarchs, leading to imprisonment, attainder, and even execution. Despite these challenges, the Howard dynasty maintained its prominence and influence as the Dukes of Norfolk, holding significant power and privileges throughout English history.
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The current Duke was educated at a Catholic independent school
The current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is a Roman Catholic. The Duke is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the Catholic faith. The Duke of Norfolk is a noble title in the Peerage of England, and the current Duke is the most senior non-royal peer in the Peerage of England.
Historically, the Dukes of Norfolk have been Catholic, which has resulted in conflict with reigning monarchs, especially during and after the reign of Henry VIII. The Catholic faith of the Howard dynasty, which has held the title since 1483, has often put them at odds with the monarchy. The current Duke was educated at a Catholic independent school, Ampleforth College, before attending Lincoln College, Oxford.
Ampleforth College is a Roman Catholic independent school. The college was founded in 1802 by a group of English Benedictine monks who had fled France during the French Revolution. The school has a strong Catholic ethos and identity, with daily Mass, Catholic chapels, and a focus on Catholic values and traditions. The college is known for its academic excellence and has produced several notable alumni, including the current Duke of Norfolk.
The Duke's education at Ampleforth College likely provided him with a strong foundation in Catholic teachings and traditions. The college's Catholic ethos and daily religious practices would have been a significant part of his schooling. As a student, he would have been exposed to the college's rich history and tradition, as well as its focus on academic excellence and holistic development. The Duke's time at Ampleforth College may have shaped his own Catholic faith and practices, and it is likely that he maintains connections with the school community.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the current Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, is Catholic. He is recognised by the Vatican as England's senior representative of the faith.
No, not all Dukes of Norfolk have been Catholic. However, the Dukes have historically been Catholic, and 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's full name is Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, and he is the 18th Duke of Norfolk. He is also the titular head of the House of Howard.
The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the county of Norfolk.
The Dukes of Norfolk have a long history of Catholicism, dating back to the Howard dynasty in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Catholic faith of the Dukes often resulted in conflict with the reigning monarch, and some, such as Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk, were executed for treason and their lands and titles forfeited.










































