Biography of Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater 1499-1554

On 30th September 1472 [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 29) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey (age 28) were married. He the son of [her grandfather] John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 47) and [her grandmother] Katherine Moleyns.

On 17th August 1497 [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 54) and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 20) were married some four months after the death of his first wife. She by marriage Countess Surrey. She, Agnes, was a first cousin of his former wife Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey for which he was given dispensation on 17th August 1497. The difference in their ages was 34 years. He the son of [her grandfather] John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk and [her grandmother] Katherine Moleyns.

Around 1499 Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater was born to [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 56) and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 22).

On 16th June 1501 [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 58) was appointed Lord High Treasurer.

Before 1504 [her brother-in-law] John Grey 2nd Viscount Lisle (age 22) and [her half-sister] Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle (age 18) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Lisle. She the daughter of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 60) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey. They were third cousins.

Before 1508 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Knyvet (age 22) and [her half-sister] Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle (age 22) were married. She the daughter of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 64) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey. They were fourth cousins.

On 21st May 1508 Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney (age 56) died. His son [her future husband] Henry (age 14) succeeded 2nd Baron Daubeney. Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 9) by marriage Baroness Daubeney.

In 1510 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 37) was appointed 268th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 18).

In 1511 John Bellingham of Erringham in Shoreham died. His son Edward Bellingham (age 5) became a ward of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 68).

Around 1511 [her brother-in-law] John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford (age 11) and [her sister] Anne Howard Countess of Oxford (age 14) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. She the daughter of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 68) and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 34). They were half third cousins.

On 14th December 1511 [her half-sister] Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle (age 26) died.

In 1513 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 40) and [her sister-in-law] 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 [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 70) and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey. They were fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 4th May 1513 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 40) was appointed Lord High Admiral.

In 1514 [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 71) was appointed Earl Marshal.

On 10th March 1520 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 47) was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland.

On 4th December 1522 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 49) was appointed Lord Treasurer.

In 1524 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 16) and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 25) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 81) and Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 47).

On 21st May 1524 [her father] 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 half-brother] Thomas (age 51) succeeded 3rd Duke Norfolk, 2nd Earl Surrey. [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 27) by marriage Duchess Norfolk.

In June 1529 Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 30) attacked to release her husband at Carmarthen Castle [Map].

Around 1530 [her son] Griffith Rice was born to [her husband] Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 22) and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 31).

Before 18th June 1531 [her brother] William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 21) and [her sister-in-law] Katherine Broughton were married. She the daughter of John Broughton of Toddington, Bedfordshire and Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford (age 52). He the son of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 54). They were half third cousin twice removed.

Before September 1531 [her brother-in-law] Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 22) and [her sister] Dorothy Howard Countess Derby (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 54). He the son of Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby and Anne Hastings Countess Derby (age 46). They were half third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In December 1531 [her husband] Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 23) was beheaded for treason for purportedly for inscribing the name Fitz Uryan on his armour in London.

In 1532 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 59) was appointed Knight of the Order of St Michael.

In May 1533 [her brother] William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 23) was appointed Earl Marshal.

On 28th May 1533 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 60) was appointed Earl Marshal.

On 29th June 1533 [her brother] William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 23) and [her sister-in-law] Margaret Gamage Baroness Howard (age 18) were married. He the son of [her father] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 56).

On 31st October 1537 [her brother] Thomas Howard (age 26) died at the Tower of London [Map]. His body was released to his mother [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 60). He was buried at Thetford Priory, Norfolk [Map].

In 1538 [her future husband] Henry Daubeney 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 44) was created 1st Earl Bridgewater. Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 39) by marriage Countess Bridgewater.

On 3rd April 1538 [her half-sister] Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 58) died at the Abbot of Reading's Place next to Baynard's Castle [Map]. She was buried at St Mary at Lambeth Church, Surrey [Map] in a crypt beneath the floor of the Howard Chapel. The Chapel no longer exists but the ledger slab is extant with the inscription: "Here lyeth the Lady Elizabeth Howard, sometime Countess of Wiltshire".

On 29th January 1541 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 68) was appointed Lieutenant General North of the Trent.

On 20th June 1541 Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 26) was tried for the murder of John Busbrig, servant of Nicholas Pelham (age 24) on whose land they were poaching on 30 Apr 1541. [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 68) was appointed Lord High Steward for the trial.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 16th January 1542. The sixtene daie of January the Parliament began, in the which the Lordes and Commons assented, to desire of the kyng certain peticions. First, that he would not vexe himself, with the Quenes offence, and that she and the lady Rocheford (age 37), might be attainted by Parliament.

Also, because of protractyng of tyme, whiche the more should bee to his unquietnes, that he would under his greate Seale, geve his royall assent, without tariyng the ende of the Parliament.

Also, that Duram and Culpeper, before attainted by the common law might also be attainted by Parliament.

Also, that [her mother] Agnes Duches of Norffolke (age 65), and Katheryn Countesse of Brigewater (age 43) her daughter, whiche were for concealyng the saied offence committed to the Tower and indited of misprision, and the [her brother] lorde William (age 32) and other, arreigned of the same, might be likewise attainted.

Also, that whosoever had spoken or doen any act, in the detestacion of her abhominable livyng, should be pardoned.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. 9 Feb. [1542] Spanish Calendar, VI., I., No. 230. 92. Chapuys (age 52) To Charles V.

Wrote on the 29th ult of the Queen's condemnation and that of the [her mother] duchess of Norfolk (age 65), her daughter (age 43), and lady Rochford (age 37). Till then the King had never been merry since first hearing of the Queen's misconduct; but he has been so since, especially on the 29th, when he gave a supper and banquet with 26 ladies at his table, besides gentlemen, and 35 at another table close by. The lady for whom he showed the greatest regard was the sister [Elizabeth Brooke (age 39)] of lord Cobham (age 45), whom Wyatt (age 39) sometime ago repudiated for adultery. She is a pretty young creature, with wit enough to do as badly as the others if she were to try. The King is also said to have a fancy for the daughter of Madame Albart¹, niece, of the Grand Esquire, Master Anthony Brown, and also for a daughter [Anne Bassett (age 22)] (by her first marriage) of the wife (age 48) of Mons. Lyt (age 77), late deputy of Calais—a surmise which rests partly on the fact that after nearly two years' close confinement in the Tower, her father has been liberated, and the King has ordered his arms, which had been removed from their place in the chapel of the Order [Map], to be replaced².

Note 1. Probably Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape (age 18), daughter of Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 40), niece of Anthony Browne (age 42). "Albart" probably a corruption of "Herbert" since Lucy's father Henry Somerset (age 46) succeeded his mother as Baron Herbert in 1507.

Note 2. The text of this letter down to this point has been printed by Gachard in his "Analectes Historiques" (Series I.-IV.), 242-3.

Before 1544 [her future husband] Henry Daubeney 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 50) and Elizabeth Neville (age 52) were married. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Atfer 1544 Henry Daubeney 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 50) and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 45) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 67).

In May 1545 [her mother] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 68) died. Her will was executed while she was still a prisoner. It read:

"I, Agnes, Duchess of Suffolk, widdowe, of late the wife of the most noble Prince, Thomas Duke of Norfolk deceased, make my will XII days of Marche, 1542. My bodye to be buried within the parishe churche of Lambithe, County Surrey, in suche place whereas I have prepared my Tomb. To my Chapple of Lambith, my best chalice of silver and gilte with the patten. I will that my sonne Lord William Howarde have iij partes of all my goodes, both household stuffe, Juells, and Plate. I give to my Lady Bridgewater my daughter, the fourth part of all my goodds, and four parts of all my rayment (clothing). To Sir John Rabon, chauntry priste of Lambithe, a sliver spones. To my nephew, Tinlay (Tilney), a goblet of sliver and gilte without a cover. Executors of my will, my sonne Lord William Hawarde, and my nephew, Tynlay."

Agnes Howard

On 8th April 1548 [her husband] Henry Daubeney 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 54) died. Earl Bridgewater extinct. His nephew John (age 49) succeeded 3rd Baron Daubeney.

In 1553 [her half-brother] Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 80) was appointed Privy Council.

Around 1553 [her son-in-law] Edward Baynton (age 33) and [her daughter] Agnes Rhys Lady Baynton were married. She the daughter of [her former husband] Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 54).

On 11th March 1554 [her brother] William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 44) was created 1st Baron Howard of Effingham. [her sister-in-law] Margaret Gamage Baroness Howard (age 39) by marriage Baroness Howard of Effingham.

On 20th March 1554 [her brother] William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 44) was appointed Lord High Admiral.

Around 11th May 1554 Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 55) died.

[her daughter] Agnes Rhys Lady Baynton was born to Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater. She married 1553 Edward Baynton.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542. II. Acts printed in the Statutes at Large, but not entered on the Parliament Roll, viz.:—

Cap. 2 [o.n. 2]. Buying of fish upon the sea.

C. 5 [o.n. 5]. Great horses.

C. 8 [o.n. 8]. Against conjurations and witchcrafts and sorcery and enchantments.

C. 14 [o.n. 14]. Prophecies upon declaration of names, arms, badges, &c.

C. 15 [o.n. 15]. Sanctuary of Manchester to be abolished, and the sanctuary men transferred to West Chester, which is to be a sanctuary.

C. 21 [o.n. 33 in the year 37 Henry VIII.].⁵ Attainder of Catharine Howard and others.—Catharine Howard whom the King took to wife is proved to have been not of pure and honest living before her marriage, and the fact that she has since taken to her service one Francis Dereham, the person with whom she "used that vicious life before," and has taken as chamberer a woman who was privy to her naughty life before, is proof of her will to return to her old abominable life. Also she has confederated with Lady Jane Rocheford, widow, late wife of Sir [her nephew] George Boleyn, late Lord Rochford, to "bring her vicious and abominable purpose to pass" with Thomas Culpeper, late one of the King's Privy Chamber, and has met Culpeper in "a secret and vile place," at 11 o'clock at night, and remained there with him until 3 a.m., with only "that bawd, the lady Jane Rocheford." For these treasons, Culpeper and Dereham have been convicted and executed, and the Queen and Lady Rochford stand indicted. The indictments of such as have lately suffered are hereby approved, and the said Queen and Lady Rochford are, by authority of this Parliament, convicted and attainted of high treason, and shall suffer accordingly; and the said Queen, lady Rocheford, Culpeper, and Dereham shall forfeit to the Crown all possessions which they held on 25 Aug. 33 Henry VIII. The Royal assent to this Act shall be given by commission. And where Agnes duchess of Norfolk, widow, and Catharine Countess of Bridgewater, wife of Henry Earl of Bridgewater, are indicted of misprision of treason for concealing the first treasons, and lord [her brother] William Howard, lady Margaret Howard his wife, Edward Walgrave, Kath. Tylney, Alice Restwold, Joan Bulmer, Anne Howard, Robert Damporte, Malyn Tylney, Marg. Bennet, and William Assheby have been convicted of the said misprision, all of them shall forfeit their goods to the King, and be imprisoned for life, and the King shall take the revenues of their lands from 1 Oct. 33 Henry VIII. for term of their lives. To avoid doubts in future, it is declared that the Royal assent given by commission shall be valid in all cases hereafter, that any lightness of the Queen for the time being may be revealed to the King or his Council, and that an unchaste woman marrying the King shall be guilty of high treason.

C. 25 [o.n. 23]. Denization of children of Thomas Poyntz, of London, grocer, William Castelyn, of London, mercer, and John Dymock, late gentleman usher, born beyond sea of wives who were not denizens.

C. 26 [o.n. 24]. Certain crafty conveyances executed by Sir John Shelton, dec., declared null.

C. 28 [o.n. 26]. That the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of Augmentations, the Chancellor of First Fruits and Tenths, the master of Wards and Liveries, each of the General Surveyors, the treasurer of the Chamber, the treasurer of Augmentations, and the groom of the Stole, may each retain one chaplain holding one benefice with cure of souls and not resident upon it.

C. 29 [o.n. 27]. Religious persons of houses and monasteries which have been translated from their old corporations into new corporations, without being suppressed, to enjoy the benefits of the Act of 31 Henry VIII., enabling religious persons in houses suppressed to sue and be sued, &c.

C. 30 [o.n. 28]. Authority of the dean and chapter of Lichfield in making leases, &c.

C. 31 [o.n. 29]. Bishoprics of Chester and of the Isle of Man transferred from the jurisdiction of Canterbury to that of York.

C. 32 [o.n. 30]. Whitegate made a parish church separate from the parish of Over.

C. 33 [o.n. 31]. Privileges of Kingston-upon-Hull.

C. 34 [o.n. 32]. The two annual fairs granted to King's Lynn by pat.

7 July 29 Henry VIII. taken away, because of the regrating of salt fish practised there, to the detriment of Styrbridge fair, Ely fair, and other fairs in cos. Camb. and Hunts.

C. 35 [o.n. 33]. Water conduits of Gloucester.

C. 39 [o.n. 37]. Establishment of the Court of General Surveyors.

Note. 5. Received the royal assent, 11 February, Lords' Journals.