NORFOLK, THOMAS HOWARD, 4TH DUKE OF (1536 1572), son of Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, was born on March 1o, 1536. His tutor was John Foxe, the martyrologist. Norfolk, who had already been married three times, was regarded as a suitable husband for Mary queen of Scots, who had just taken refuge in England. He presided over the commission appointed by Elizabeth to inquire into the relations between the Scottish queen and her subjects; and although he appears to have believed in Mary's guilt he was anxious to marry her. Among the Scots Maitland of Lethington favoured the proposed union ; Mary her self consented to it ; but Norfolk was unwilling to take up arms, and while he delayed, Elizabeth ordered his arrest and he was taken to prison in October 1569. In August 157o, after the sup pression of the rising in the north of England, the duke was released; but he entered into communication with Philip II. of
Spain regarding the proposed invasion of England by the Spaniards. After some hesitation Norfolk placed himself at the head of the conspirators; and in return for his services he asked the king of Spain "to approve of my own marriage with the Queen of Scots." But the plot failed ; Norfolk's treachery was revealed to Lord Burghley, and in September 1571 he was arrested.
He was beheaded on June 2, 1572. He always regarded himself as a Protestant. Norfolk's first wife, Mary (1540-1557), daugh ter and heiress of Henry Fitzalan, 12th earl of Arundel, bore him a son, Philip, who in consequence of his father's attainder was not allowed to succeed to the dukedom of Norfolk, but be came 13th earl of Arundel in succession to his maternal grand father in 1580. Norfolk left two other sons, Thomas Howard, created earl of Suffolk in 1603, and Lord William Howard (q.v.).