Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk b. 1443

Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk Thomas Howard was born in 1443. He was the son of John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. He served four kings as a soldier and politician. He was born in Suffolk and educated at Thetford Grammar School. While a youth he entered King Edward IVs ranks as a henchman. In 1471 Thomas was severely wounded. He was appointed Squire of the Body in 1473 and in 1478 he was knighted at the marriage of Richard of Shrewsbury (d.1483) and Anne Mowbray. After the sudden death of Edward IV, Thomas Howard supported Richard III, the usurper of the crown.He bore the sword of state at Richards coronation and was created Earl of Surrey and invested with the Order of the Garter. He suppressed a rebellion against the King by the Duke of Buckingham. Howard fought for his anointed King at the Battle of Bosworth Field, where he was wounded and taken prisoner and spent the next three years in the Tower. In May 1489, Henry VII restored his Earldom of Surrey and sent him to repress rebels in Yorkshire. He remained there until 1499 and was recalled to court as Lord High Treasurer. He became a diplomat and was involved with Prince Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragons ill-fated marriage. In 1503 he escorted the young Margaret Tudor to Scotland with a certain Thomas Boleyn. Howard played a prominent role in the coronation of Henry Viii after Henry VII had died. He challenged Wolsey in an effort to be the new Kings first minister, but he was over-ruled. When James IV of Scotland launched a massive invasion in Henry VIIIs absence, Howard crushed the Scots and killed James IV at Flodden Field. The victory brought him popular fame and deep gratitude from Henry. In 1514 he was created 2nd Duke of Norfolk and his son, Thomas, was confusingly made Earl of Surrey, The Howard Arms were augmented with an arrow piercing the mouth of the Red Lion of Scotland...In the final years of his life, Norfolk continued his career as a courtier, diplomat and soldier which included negotiating the marriage of the Kings sister, Mary Rose to Louis XII of France, He wasn’t successful, as Mary eloped with Charles Brandon. In 1521, he presided over the trial of the Duke of Buckingham...He pronounced the death sentence with “tears streaming down his face.” By 1522, he was in failing health and retired to his castle in Framlingham, Suffolk. When he died, his funeral was “spectacular”, including “a procession of 400 hooded men bearing torches with 100 wax effigies and 700 candles”, befitting the richest and most powerful statesman in England.