Biography of Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset 1519-1557
Paternal Family Tree: Howard
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Merbury
1495 Edward IV's Daughter's Marriages
1525 Knighting of Henry Fitzroy
1532 Anne Boleyn's Investiture as Marchioness of Pembroke
On 04 Feb 1495 [her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 22) and Anne York (age 19) were married. She the daughter of King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England. He the son of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 52) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey (age 51).
In 1513 [her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 40) and [her mother] Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 16) were married. The difference in their ages was 24 years. She the daughter of Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham (age 34) and Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham. He the son of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 70) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1519 Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset was born to Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 46) and Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 22).
On 21 May 1524 [her grandfather] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 81) died at Framlingham Castle, Suffolk [Map]. He was buried at Thetford Priory, Norfolk [Map] and subsequently reburied at the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Framlingham [Map]. His son [her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 51) succeeded 3rd Duke Norfolk, 2nd Earl Surrey. [her mother] Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 27) by marriage Duchess Norfolk.
On 18 Jun 1525 [her future husband] Henry Fitzroy (age 6) was taken by barge to Bridewell Palace [Map] where he was enobled by his father [her future father-in-law] King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 33).
In the morning Henry Fitzroy (age 6) was created 1st Earl Nottingham.
In the afternoon Henry Fitzroy (age 6) was created 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset.
Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 47) carried the Sword of State. Thomas More (age 47) read the patents of nobility. Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 41), Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset (age 47),
Henry Courtenay (age 29) was created 1st Marquess Exeter. Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 22) by marriage Marchioness Exeter.
Henry Clifford (age 32) was created 1st Earl of Cumberland, Warden of the West Marches and Governor of Carlisle Castle.
Thomas Manners (age 33) was created 1st Earl of Rutland. Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 30) by marriage Countess of Rutland. He was given the Earldom of Rutland to reflect his descent from Anne York Duchess Exeter sister of the previous Earl of Rutland. At the same time his arms Manners Arms were augmented with the Manners Augmented Arms
Henry Brandon (age 2) was created 1st Earl Lincoln.
Robert Radclyffe (age 42) was created 1st Viscount Fitzwalter.
Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 48) was created 1st Viscount Rochford. [her aunt] Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 45) by marriage Viscountess Rochford.
[her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 52), William Fitzalan 18th Earl Arundel (age 49) and John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford (age 25) attended.
On 30 Apr 1530 Gilbert Tailboys 1st Baron Tailboys (age 32) died. He was buried at Church of St Mary and All Saints, South Kyme. His son [her future brother-in-law] George Tailboys 2nd Baron Tailboys 10th Baron Kyme (age 7) succeeded 2nd Baron Tailboys of Kyme.
On 01 Sep 1532 Anne Boleyn (age 31) was created 1st Marquess Pembroke with [her future father-in-law] Henry VIII (age 41) performing the investiture at Windsor Castle [Map]. Note she was created Marquess rather than the female form Marchioness alhough Marchioness if a modern form that possibly didn't exist at the time.
Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 55), Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 48), [her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 59), Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 37), Jean Dinteville, Archbishop Edward Lee (age 50), Bishop John Stokesley (age 57) were present.
Bishop Stephen Gardiner (age 49) read the Patent of Creation.
Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset (age 13) carried Anne's (age 31) train replacing her mother [her mother] Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 35) who had been banished from Court. Anne (age 31) and Mary (age 13) were cousins.
Charles Wriothesley (age 24) attended.
Calendars. 15 Apr 1533. 1061. Eustace Chapuys (age 43) to the Emperor (age 33).
On Saturday, the eve of Easter, Lady Anne (age 32) went to mass in truly Royal state, loaded with diamonds and other precious stones, and dressed in a gorgeous suit of tissue, the train of which was carried by the daughter (age 14) of the [her father] duke of Norfolk (age 60), betrothed to the [her future husband] Duke of Richmond (age 13). She was followed by numerous damsels, and conducted to and from the church [Map] with the same or perhaps greater ceremonies and solemnities than those used with former Queens on such occasions. She has now changed her title of marchioness for that of Queen, and preachers specially name her so in their church prayers. At which all people here are perfectly astonished, for the whole thing seems a dream, and even those who support her party do not know whether to laugh or cry at it. The [her future father-in-law] King (age 41) is watching what sort of mien the people put on at this, and solicits his nobles to visit and pay their court to his new Queen, whom he purposes to have crowned after Easter in the most solemn manner, and it is said that there will be banqueting and tournaments on the occasion. Indeed some think that Clarence, the king-at-arms who left for France four days ago, is gone for the purpose of inviting knights for the tournament in imitation of the Most Christian King when he celebrated his own nuptials. I cannot say whether the coronation will take place before or after these festivities, but I am told that this King (age 41) has secretly arranged with the archbishop of Canterbury (age 43), that in virtue of his office, and without application from anyone he is to summon him before his court as having two wives, upon which, without sending for the Queen (age 47), he (the Archbishop) will declare that the King (age 41) can lawfully marry again, as he has done, without waiting for a dispensation, for a sentence from the Pope, or any other declaration whatever.
Letters and Papers 1533. 15 Apr 1533. 351. On Saturday, Easter Eve, dame Anne (age 32) went to mass in Royal state, loaded with jewels, clothed in a robe of cloth of gold friese. The daughter (age 14) of the duke of Norfolk (age 60), who is affianced to the [her future husband] duke of Richmond (age 13), carried her train; and she had in her suite sixty young ladies, and was brought to church, and brought back with the solemnities, or even more, which were used to the Queen. She has changed her name from Marchioness to Queen, and the preachers offered prayers for her by name. All the world is astonished at it for it looks like a dream, and even those who take her part know not whether to laugh or to cry. The King is very watchful of the countenance of the people, and begs the lords to go and visit and make their court to the new Queen, whom he intends to have solemnly crowned after Easter, when he will have feastings and tournaments; and some think that Clarencieux went four days ago to France to invite gentlemen at arms to the tourney, after the example of Francis, who did so at his nuptials. I know not whether this will be before or after, but the King has secretly appointed with the archbishop of Canterbury that of his office, without any other pressure, he shall cite the King as having two wives; and upon this, without summoning the Queen, he will declare that he was at liberty to marry as he has done without waiting for a dispensation or sentence of any kind.
On 28 Nov 1533 Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Richmond and Somerset (age 14) and Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset (age 14) were married. She by marriage Duchess of Richmond and Somerset. Another coup for the Howard Family especially in view of Henry Fitzroy being considered by some as a possible heir in view of Anne Boleyn having given birth to a girl. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 60) and Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 36). He the illegitmate son of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 42) and Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount Baroness Clinton and Tailboys (age 35). They were third cousins.
On 23 Jul 1536 [her husband] Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Richmond and Somerset (age 17) died at St James's Palace [Map]. He the illegitimate son of [her father-in-law] King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 45). He was buried at Church of St Michael the Archangel, Framlingham [Map]. Duke of Richmond and Somerset, Earl Nottingham extinct.
After 15 May 1539 [her former brother-in-law] George Tailboys 2nd Baron Tailboys 10th Baron Kyme (age 16) and Margaret Skipwith Baroness Tailboys were married. She by marriage Baroness Tailboys of Kyme. He the son of Gilbert Tailboys 1st Baron Tailboys and Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount Baroness Clinton and Tailboys (age 41).
Around 06 Sep 1540 [her former brother-in-law] George Tailboys 2nd Baron Tailboys 10th Baron Kyme (age 17) died. His brother [her former brother-in-law] Robert Tailboys 3rd Baron Tailboys 11th Baron Kyme (age 12) succeeded 3rd Baron Tailboys of Kyme, de jure 11th Baron Kyme.
On 26 Jun 1542 [her former brother-in-law] Robert Tailboys 3rd Baron Tailboys 11th Baron Kyme (age 14) died. His sister [her former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Tailboys Countess Warwick (age 20) succeeded 4th Baroness Tailboys of Kyme, def jure 12th Baroness Kyme.
The History of England under Henry VIII 1546. The [her mother] Dutchess Elizabeth (age 49), daughter to Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, having for many years entertain'd so violent jealousies of the duke her husband's matrimonial affection and loyalty, as it broke out at last to open rancour, divers occasions of scandal were given: insomuch, that not being content with having surmized a long while since two articles against him, she again, in sundry letters to the lord privy-seal, both averred the articles, and manifestly accus'd some of his minions, repeated divers hard usages, she pretended to receive from them, and briefly discover'd all the ordinary passions of hei offended sex. This again being urg'd in a time when the king was in his declining age, and for the rest, disquieted with scruples, that the duke's greatness or interest in sequent times might interrupt the order he intended to give, was not unwillingly heard. So that notwithstanding his many important and faithful services, both in war and peace, at home and abroad, he and his son [her brother] Henry Earl of Surrey (age 30), were expos'd to the malignity and detraction of their accusers. This again fell out in an unfortunate time; for besides that the lady his dutchess had now for above four years been separated from him [[her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 73)]; his son the Earl of Surrey (age 30) was but newly, and perchance, scarce reconciled with him; his daughter Mary Dutchess of Richmond (age 27) not only inclined to the Protestant party, (which lov'd not the duke) but grown an extream enemy of her brother: so that there was not only a kind of intestine division in his family, but this again many secret ways fomented.
Wriothesley's Chronicle 1551. 04 Nov 1551. The 4 of November the sayd Quene (age 35) rode from the sayd place to the Kinges pallace at Whitehall by Westminster in hir charyot, accompanyed with diuers knightes and gentlemen, carles and lordes, the Lady Margaret Dowglas (age 36), the Duches of Richmond (age 32), the Duches of Suffolke (age 32), the Duches of Northumberland (age 42), with diuers other noble women of England and ladyes of Scotland followinge after them; the Dukes of Northumberland (age 47) and Suffolke and the Lord Treasurer (age 68) receivinge her within the Court gate, all the guard standinge on euery syde of the Court; and at her entringe in at the hall the [her former brother-in-law] Kinges Maiestie (age 14) stode in the upper ende of the hall, the Earle of Warwicke (age 24) [Note. assumed to be referring to the subsiduary title of the Duke of Northumberland] houldinge the sworde afore the Kinge; she kneelinge downe, the Kinges Maiestie tooke her up and, kissinge her, he tooke her by the hand, she comminge with him, he led her up into the chamber of presence, and so from thence to the Queues chamber of presence, where he kissed all the ladyes of Scotland, and so departed for a while; and that daye she dyned on the Quenes syde with the Kinges Maiestie, the Kinges service and hers comminge both togeather, richely serued in gylt plate; the Kinges seruice on the right hand of the table, and the Quenes on the left hand, she sittinge by the Kinge apart by his cloth of estate; the goodly cupbord of plate of gould and gylte that day there occupyed, with the rich hanginges and costly meates, was wondrous to see. All the ladyes of England and Scotland dyned in the Quenes great chamber, and were serued in siluer all theyr meates; dinner ended, the Kinges Maiestie shewed her his galleries and gardens, with other commodityes of that place; and about foure of the clocke he brought her downe againe by the hand into the hall, where he received her and there kissed hir, and so she departed to the Bishops house againe to Pawles in lyke manner as she went thither.
On 25 Aug 1554 [her father] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 81) died at Kenninghall, Norfolk. He was buried at Church of St Michael the Archangel, Framlingham [Map]. His grandson Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 18) succeeded 4th Duke Norfolk, 3rd Earl Surrey.
Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Malcolm III King Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Philip "Bold" III King France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Howard 2 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Howard 3 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Scales 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Howard 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Tendring
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Tendring
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mowbray 4th Baron Mowbray Baron Segrave 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Segrave 5th Baroness Segrave Baroness Mowbray Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Mowbray Baroness Grey Ruthyn 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl Surrey 11th Earl Arundel 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
GrandFather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Moleyns
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Moleyns
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Bacon
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Beaumont 3rd Baron Beaumont 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaumont 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Vere Baroness Devereux and Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Father: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Tilney
Great x 3 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney
Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Tilney
Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney
GrandMother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Henry Cheney
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cheney
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lawrence Cheney
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cockayne
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Cockayne
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecilia Vernon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cockayne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 2nd Baron Grey Ruthyn 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ida Grey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alianore Strange Baroness Grey Ruthyn 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
GrandFather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Woodville
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bittelsgate
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham Duchess Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brienne
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Mother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Poynings 4th Baron Poynings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Poynings 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Grey Baroness Poynings 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Berkeley Countess Arundel 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bettershorne
GrandMother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert
Great x 2 Grandfather: William "Black William" Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandfather: Dafydd Gam Brecon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury