Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk

  An uncle of Henry VIII by marriage, Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk was the premier nobleman at the King's court. The Duke was also uncle to two of Henry's queens - Anne Boleyn and Katheryn Howard.

  A conservative in religion and politics, Norfolk was an enemy of the King's great ministers Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell, both of whom the Duke was eventually able to bring down. Norfolk's own demise came when he and his son the Earl of Surrey were accused of high treason by their own adversaries at Court. The Duke was imprisoned by the dying Henry VIII, and remained in the Tower of London until the reign of Queen Mary in 1553.

 

Pictured: The Duke of Norfolk (Michael Gough) from the film Henry VIII and His Six Wives.


Click here to Return to Biographies