Henry Howard Tower of London
A ruthless soldier, chivalrous, brave, who fought for King and Country. Yet he
had a lighter side one which defined words in the art of poetry for many years
to come with his insights into love, and friendship. But he also slipped into
moments of complete madness that will eventually come back to haunt him. He
had a belief in his ancestry, and that of royal nobility. So join me now, as
we take a look at the life of Henry Howard.
Henry was born in the small
village of Hunsdon in Hertfordshire. His father was Thomas Howard, the third
Duke of Norfolk. His mother was Elizabeth Stafford. She was a daughter to the
well known Edward Stafford, the third Duke of Buckingham. Henry's ancestry had
come down on his father's side from King Edward the first, and Edward the
third on his mother's family tree. He was usually known as Henry Howard of
Kenninghall, which was one of his grandfather's estates in Norfolk, but
Henry would spend winter and spring at his father's house in Hunsdon, until
around the age of seven. It would be on the death of his grandfather that his
father inherited the title of Duke of Norfolk. As for Henry, he gained a
courtesy title of the Earl of Surrey. While in school, he mastered English
literature when he first began to write verses. A love of words would stay
with him throughout his life. And as he would grow older, he would become well
known for his poetry. Then in December 1529, Henry the Eighth had asked the
Duke of Norfolk to allow Surrey to attend Windsor, where Henry's illegitimate
son Fitzroy was currently living. This would happen and both the boys ended up
having a great relationship. Marriage was an everyday topic for the Tudors,
there would always be some juicy gossip as to who and where, etc. For Surrey,
this was no different, in 1526, Surrey's father had purchased the wardship of a
lady called Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Lord Marney. By 1529, Anne Boleyn
stepped in and made another suggestion to King Henry, one by way of marrying
Henry's daughter, Mary Tudor to Surrey. This was debated long and hard and even
Chapuys got involved the Spanish Ambassador by asking the Emperor how he
should overlook this latest news. But things changed again in October when
Anne Boleyn had a change of heart. She instead now persuaded Norfolk to think
about another this time, a lady called Frances, who was the daughter of the 15th
Earl of Oxford. Norfolk reluctantly agreed and a marriage contract was put
together and signed. The newlyweds were married in 1532. It would be a further
three years before being allowed to live with each other. In the October of
1532, Surrey now travel with Henry the Eighth and the Duke of Richmond to
Boulogne. The meeting was set between Henry and Francis the first of France.
Surrey would spend almost a year in France as part of the arrangement made
between the two leaders. Francis looked after Surrey throughout his time, and
he was undoubtedly looked upon favourably. And it's noted that Francis said he
was very impressed by the young man. By July 1533, the pope tried to reinvent
the initially proposed marriage between Surrey and Mary Tudor. This was in the
belief that it may help the then Queen Catherine of Aragon in her great matter.
But nothing came of this and Surrey returned to England in September
of that year.
March 1534, Surrey's mother had separated from her husband, Norfolk on the
grounds of adultery. Another seemingly acceptable pastime in these Tudor years.
Yet Surrey sided with his father, which didn't go down well with his mother,
and he was claimed to be an ungracious son. Surrey had some money troubles
around 1535 when his wife joined him at Kenninghall, and a good-natured Abbot
called John Reeve of Bury loaned him some copper to help tie him over!
The next stage for Surrey was on the 15th of May 1536. When he was present at the
trial of Anne Boleyn. He acted as Earl Marshal on behalf of his father. And then next
for Surrey was a journey north this time on the 22nd of July 1536. He set out
to attempt to quell the uprising, known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. His father
was present, but once again, tongues started wagging. One report suggested that
Surrey, in fact, had sympathy with the rebellion. It's not a story he'd want
many to hear about. Let's move forward a little in time, Surrey was starting to
get a bit handy, with his hands. It was reported that he had hit one of the
courtiers. However, this time the rumours spread and he was hauled before the
Privy Council in June 1537. His punishment was to be held at Windsor Castle
in confinement. Luckily, he was released in November that year just in time to
be one of the chief mourners at Jane Seymour's funeral. But his days have been
a little stormy and overboard with his actions would come back to haunt him
later in life.
Surrey was talked about in early 1539 when some suggested
sending him over to Cleves to take a look at the potential new Lady for Henry.
However, this was quickly dispelled, he ended up organising a defence in
Norfolk at what looked at the time like a possible invasion. But this came to
nothing, so he was free to do what he wanted again. Other notable events cropped
up for Surrey, including impressing Henry with his jousting ability at the
king's marriage to Anne of Cleves. He was also overjoyed when news broke that
Cromwell had fallen from grace and been executed. This now meant his father
would once again gain some recognition and more importantly influence from
Henry. And to round off a considerable period for Surrey, he was installed as a
Knight of the Garter on the 21st of May 1541. Surrey's name was never far away
from scandal in February 1541 to help clear his name have suspicions
from others around him at court. He attended the execution of his cousin,
Queen Catherine Howard. Surrey was once described as the most foolish, proud
boy that ever there was in England. His pride was said to be great, yet his
lack of self-control got him deeper into troubles than really he should have
been. Even though in his words, he said he would bridle his heady will, many
would take a lot of convincing to see this occur. Let's follow Surrey now
through to the year 1543. As we'd say today, there may be trouble ahead. And
this was precisely the case for Surrey. He now had been charged for eating flesh
over Lent and to top that off, he had been wandering aimlessly around the streets
breaking people's windows. So much for talking yourself out of this, but
Surrey came up with a cracker. He had stated that his window smashing session
was due to London's irreligious life. The attack was to hopefully get them
ready for divine retribution. I mean, who needs a lawyer when Surrey is around,
although his rant didn't work, and he was sent to Fleet prison, for a few
months. By October 1543, Surrey once again in the good books of King Henry. He
joined the army now set to engage the Emperor's forces in France. Once the
campaign was completed, Surrey returned to England. Although his battling days
would continue. His father Norfolk praised his son for his bravery. He was
considered a good soldier, and to that end, he was sent to command 5000 men to
Calais and appointed the commander. His sole aim was to keep an eye on Boulogne.
However, instead of holding back Surrey thought a good skirmish was the way
forward. On the other hand, Henry disagreed, and Surrey was roundly told off not
only for insubordination, but also for placing his men into needless danger.
So did Surrey learn by the error of his ways? Well, no is the short answer.
The French had marched towards Boulogne intending to colonise the area. Surrey
intercepted them and a battle broke out. It was terrible news for Surrey whose
English forces were beaten. It was now early March and news reached Surrey that he
was to be replaced by Edward Seymour, Lord Hertford, and Lord Lyle in command of
the English forces. Surrey and Seymour were hardly the best buddies. So you
can only imagine his outrage at the decision.
When the whole sorry saga had calmed down. It was now back to London and the
impending death of Henry the Eighth that would be setting the agenda.
Speculation was already rife as to who should become protector to the new King
Edward the sixth during his early years. A toss of a coin between Surrey and
Seymour, when Surrey announced his plan saying only his father should carry out
such duty, Seymour obviously listened then took the role for himself. The problem
with Surrey was people had short memories and he certainly upset enough over
time to take a step back on this issue. His next move would be the undoing of
him. It's said before he set out for Boulogne, he had enquired about creating
new arms for the Howard family, one that would involve quartering and giving
it a look of royal nobility. That means that he thought he was a legitimate
heir to the throne due to his ancestry. He claimed that the descent of Thomas
of Brotherton who was the son to Edward the first, Surrey and all Howard's should
have the right in a debate to claim royal descent. But unluckily for Surrey,
Seymour and his gang were not about to be taken in by this. They said, Oh,
dear, what have you done? Not only is this wrong, but it's also evidence of
treasonable behaviour. Surrey was gobsmacked but Seymour suggested his actions
were unattainable and his claim would never stand. It was said that Surrey's aim
was to endanger Prince Edward and take the throne of England himself. So where
does that leave us now?
Well, initially the council contacted Surrey and asked
him to join them for a bit of a meeting. Accusations were brought by Sir
Richard Southwell, an officer of the court and one time on good terms with
Surrey. Southwell accused Surrey and another argument ensued. Still, both
men would serve time in custody for there over aggressive accounts. For Surrey,
it would get worse as other charges were now brought against him. One courtier
Sir Gawain Carew said Surrey tried to get his sister to become a mistress to the
king. Surrey had already told his sister about the dangers of involvement,
especially when she had interest from Sir Thomas Seymour. Then a quite peculiar
charge was brought to Surrey when someone suggested he dressed in a foreign
way, and employed an Italian Jester. But the council to the comments on board
even though they were so trivial, it seems someone wanted rid of Surrey, and
slowly but surely, the ropes were tightening. When commissioners were sent to
Kenninghall to have a friendly chat with the Duchess and Elizabeth Hollander
was Norfolk's mistress. It would be the Duchess herself who would put the cat
amongst the pigeons, by stating Surrey had rigidly adhered to the old ways of
religion. She also agreed with the charges that were currently hanging over Surrey's
head, Who said you could trust a family at a time of need? Paper was drawn up
by King Henry stating the charges against Surrey who by now had been
arrested. An assumption was made that although there was little evidence
against Surrey, it might be best if he was tried. Although there was never a
doubt in the minds of Seymour and the king supporters that it possibly could
be, but not definitely. Surrey could try and gain the throne ahead of Edward
And so on the 13th of January 1546 at Guildhall London, Surrey was placed
before his peers and Lord Chancellor Wriothsley along with privy councilmen.
With a charge of attempting to predict the act of succession. The weird thing
is no testimony was given, no evidence heard, and it was pretty much up to Surrey
to state his plea of not guilty as expected. He did this but all to no avail.
He was convicted of this most incredulous crime. His punishment was to be
sentenced to death at Tower HIll on the 21st of January.
This is a bizarre end to a career, Surrey was Henry the Eighth's last
execution too! He was buried at All Hallows, Barking, before being removed to
Framlingham, Suffolk, where an elaborate monument to his life was erected in 1614.
He was born the descendants of the Plantagenet royal line. However, as we know that
dynasty was usurped by Henry Tudor, the new King Henry the seventh. He has been
described as arrogant and brutal with his ambitions, however, he was a strong
soldier and fought many battles without fear, prompting his father to state he
was one of the bravest of boys. It would be his total contempt of 'lower men' as
he called them that would create such a caustic atmosphere at court. And his
initial favour by Henry the Eighth soon vanished mainly due to the connection
with Catherine Howard. Not only Surrey, but the whole Howard family would
suffer. His failings in trying to wrest the crown from Edward the sixth as he
thought was justified came to a halt. And Seymour took over the protector
role. There was literally no evidence to condemn Surrey, it was just a case of
Seymour ganging up with everyone he could find, to support his dialogue, and
once and for all removed Surrey permanently from view. Yet away from all
that turmoil, Surrey would prosper greatly at another passion he had always
had. His ability to write poetry. Most of his works were not published until
around 10 years after his death. But what we are left with today is a pure
narrative with themes of love and death of friendship and youth. Surrey was
talented, there's no doubt about that. Yet his feisty and at times
provocative views and actions would ultimately cause his demise.
Thank you for watching :)