1st Duke of Norfolk (1483-1485)
Marshal of England (1483-1485)
Born c.1430 Died 1485
John Howard was the son of Sir Robert Howard by his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Mowbray, the first duke of that family. In 1455 John Howard was sent to parliament as member for Norfolk, although 'he hadde no lyvelode' in the shire; in 1461 he was knighted; and in 1470, although he appears to have been a consistent Yorkist, he was created a baron by Henry VI.
He was treasurer of the royal household from 1467 to 1474, and went to France with Edward IV in 1475. After Edward's death, however, he supported Richard III, who created him Duke of Norfolk and made him Earl Marshal of England in June 1483. He was killed at Bosworth whilst fighting for this king on the 22nd of August 1485, and the title thus suffered attainder.
He is frequently mentioned in the Paston Letters.
Extracted from the entry for NORFOLK, DUKES AND EARLS OF in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, the text of which lies within the public domain.