Biography of Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701

1680 Trial and Execution of William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford

1692 William III Creation of New Lords

Family Trees

Descent

Ancestry

Around 1652 [his father] Henry Howard 6th Duke Norfolk 1628-1684 (23) and [his mother] Anne Somerset Countess Norfolk 1631-1662 (21) were married.

On 11 Jan 1655 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 was born to [his father] Henry Howard 6th Duke Norfolk 1628-1684 (26) and [his mother] Anne Somerset Countess Norfolk 1631-1662 (24).

In 1662 [his mother] Anne Somerset Countess Norfolk 1631-1662 (31) died.

John Evelyn's Diary 1662 August. 1st August, 1662. [his father] Mr. H. Howard (34), his brothers Charles (32), Edward (25), Bernard (21), Philip (33), now the Queen's (23) Almoner (all brothers of the Duke of Norfolk, still in Italy), came with a great train, and dined with me; Mr. H. Howard (34) leaving with me his eldest and youngest sons, Henry (7) and Thomas, for three or four days, my son, John (7), having been sometime bred up in their father's house.

Around 1670 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (14) educated Magdalen College.

In 1672 [his father] Henry Howard 6th Duke Norfolk 1628-1684 (43) was created 1st Earl Norwich (3C 1672).

Around 1675 [his father] Henry Howard 6th Duke Norfolk 1628-1684 (46) and Jane Bickerton Duchess Norfolk 1643-1693 (32) were married. Jane Bickerton Duchess Norfolk 1643-1693 (32) by marriage Duchess Norfolk (3C 1483). The marriage being so unpopular with his family they went abroad for some time.

On 08 Aug 1677 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (22) and [his wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk 1659-1705 (18) were married.

John Evelyn's Diary 1677 August. 09 Aug 1677. Dined at the Earl of Peterborough's (55) the day after the marriage of my Lord of Arundel (22) to [his wife] Lady Mary Mordaunt (18), daughter of the Earl of Peterborough.

John Evelyn's Diary 1678 August. 23d August, 1678. Upon Sir Robert Reading's (38) importunity, I went to visit the [his father] Duke of Norfolk (50), at his new palace at Weybridge, where he has laid out in building near £10,000, on a copyhold, and in a miserable, barren, sandy place by the street side; never in my life had I seen such expense to so small purpose. The rooms are wainscotted, and some of them richly pargeted with cedar, yew, cypress, etc. There are some good pictures, especially that incomparable painting of Holbein's, where the Duke of Norfolk, Charles Brandon and Henry VIII., are dancing with the three ladies, with most amorous countenances, and sprightly motion exquisitely expressed. It is a thousand pities (as I told my Lord of Arundel (23), his son), that that jewel should be given away.

Trial and Execution of William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford

John Evelyn's Diary 1680 November. 7th December, 1680. On Tuesday, I was again at the trial, when judgment was demanded; and, after my Lord (66) had spoken what he could in denying the fact, the managers answering the objections, the Peers adjourned to their House, and within two hours returned again. There was, in the meantime, this question put to the judges, "whether there being but one witness to any single crime, or act, it could amount to convict a man of treason." They gave an unanimous opinion that in case of treason they all were overt acts for though no man should be condemned by one witness for any one act, yet for several acts to the same intent, it was valid; which was my Lord's (66) case. This being past, and the Peers in their seats again, the Lord Chancellor Finch (33) (this day the Lord High-Steward) removing to the woolsack next his Majesty's (50) state, after summoning the Lieutenant of the Tower to bring forth his prisoner, and proclamation made for silence, demanded of every Peer (who were in all eighty-six) whether William, Lord Viscount Stafford, were guilty of the treason laid to his charge, or not guilty.
Then the Peer spoken to, standing up, and laying his right hand upon his breast, said guilty, or not guilty, upon my honor, and then sat down, the Lord Steward (33) noting their suffrages as they answered upon a paper: when all had done, the number of not guilty being but 31, the guilty 55; and then, after proclamation for silence again, the Lord Steward directing his speech to the prisoner, against whom the ax was turned edgeways and not before, in aggravation of his crime, he being ennobled by the King (50)'s father, and since received many favors from his present Majesty (50): after enlarging on his offense, deploring first his own unhappiness that he who had never condemned any man before should now be necessitated to begin with him, he then pronounced sentence of death by hanging, drawing, and quartering, according to form, with great solemnity and dreadful gravity; and, after a short pause, told the prisoner that he believed the Lords would intercede for the omission of some circumstances of his sentence, beheading only excepted; and then breaking his white staff, the Court was dissolved. My Lord Stafford during all this latter part spoke but little, and only gave their Lordships thanks after the sentence was pronounced; and indeed behaved himself modestly, and as became him.
It was observed that all his own relations of his name and family condemned him, except his nephew, the Earl of Arundel (25), son to the [his father] Duke of Norfolk (52). And it must be acknowledged that the whole trial was carried on with exceeding gravity: so stately and august an appearance I had never seen before; for, besides the innumerable spectators of gentlemen and foreign ministers, who saw and heard all the proceedings, the prisoner had the consciences of all the Commons of England for his accusers, and all the Peers to be his judges and jury. He had likewise the assistance of what counsel he would, to direct him in his plea, who stood by him. And yet I can hardly think that a person of his age and experience should engage men whom he never saw before (and one of them that came to visit him as a stranger at Paris) POINT BLANK to murder the King (50): God only, who searches hearts, can discover the truth. Lord Stafford was not a man beloved especially of his own family.

On 13 Jan 1684 [his father] Henry Howard 6th Duke Norfolk 1628-1684 (55) died. His son Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (29) succeeded 7th Duke Norfolk (3C 1483), 25th Earl Arundel (Sussex), 8th Earl Surrey (3C 1483), 5th Earl Norfolk (5C 1644), 2nd Earl Norwich (3C 1672), 18th Baron Mowbray (1C 1283), 22nd Baron Segrave (2C 1295), 16th Baron Furnivall (1C 1295), 20th Baron Strange Blackmere (1C 1309), 15th Baron Maltravers (1C 1330), 17th Baron Talbot (1C 1331), 15th Baron Arundel (1C 1377), 2nd Baron Howard of Castle Rising, Earl Marshal. [his wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk 1659-1705 (25) by marriage Duchess Norfolk (3C 1483).

John Evelyn's Diary 1684 December. 18 Dec 1684. I went with Lord Cornwallis (28) to see the young gallants do their exercise, Mr. Faubert having newly rail'd in a manage, and fitted it for the academy. There were the Dukes of Norfolk (29) and Northumberland (18), Lord Newburgh (20), and a nephew of (Duras) Earle of Feversham (43). The exercises were, 1. running at the ring ; 2. flinging a javelin at a Moor's head ; 3. discharging a pistol at a mark ; lastly, taking up a gauntlet with the point of a sword ; all these perform'd in full speede. The D. of Northumberland (18) hardly miss'd of succeeding in every one, a dozen times, as I think. The D. of Norfolk (29) did exceeding bravely. Lords Newburgh (20) and Duras seem'd nothing so dextrous. Here I saw the difference of what ye French call "belle homme a cheval," and " bon homme a cheval;" the Duke of Norfolk being the first, that is, rather a fine person on a horse, the Duke of Northumberland being both in perfection, namely, a graceful person and excellent rider. But the Duke of Norfolk told me he had not ben at this exercise these 12 yeares before. There were in the field ye Prince of Denmark (31), and the Lord Landsdown (23), sonn of ye Earle of Bath (56), who had ben made a Count of ye Empire last Summer for his service before Vienna.

In 1685 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (29) was appointed 490th Knight of the Garter: James II.

John Evelyn's Diary 1685 April. 08 Apr 1685. Being now somewhat compos'd after my greate affliction, I went to London to hear Dr. Tenison (48) (it being on a Wednesday in Lent) at Whitehall. I observ'd that tho' the King (51) was not in his seate above in the chapell, the Doctor made his three congees, which they were not us'd to do when the late King was absent, making then one bowing onely. I ask'd the reason; it was sayd he had a special order so to do. The Princesse of Denmark (34) was in the King's Closet, but sat on the left hand of the chaire, the Clearke of the Closet (50) standing by His Ma*s chaire, as If he had ben present. I met the Queene Dowager (46) going now first from Whitehall to dwell at Somerset-house. This day my brother of Wotton and Mr. Onslow (30) were candidates for Surrey against Sr Adam Brown and my cousin Sr Edwd Evelyn, and were circumvented in their election by a trick of the Sheriff's* taking advantage of my brother's party going out of the small village of Leatherhead to seek shelter and lodging, the afternoone being tempestuous, proceeding to the Election when they were gon; they expecting the next morning; whereas before and then they exceeded the other party by many hundreds, as I am assur'd. The Duke of Norfolk (30) led Sr Edw. Evelyn's and Sr Adam Brown's party. For this Parliament, very meane and slight persons (some of them gentlemen's servants, clearkes, and persons neither of reputation nor interest) were set up, but the country would choose my brother whether he would or no, and he miss'd it by the trick above mentioned. Sr Adam Brown was so deafe that he could not heare one word. S1 Edw. Evelyn was an honest gent much in favour with his Majesty.

In 1689 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (33) was appointed Privy Council.

William III Creation of New Lords

John Evelyn's Diary 1692 February. 28 Feb 1692. Lord Marlborough (41) having used words against the King (41), and been discharged from all his great places, his wife (31) was forbidden the Court, and the Princess of Denmark (27) was desired by the Queen (29) to dismiss her from her service; but she refusing to do so, goes away from Court to Sion house. Divers new Lords made: Sir Henry Capel (53), Sir William Fermor (43), etc. Change of Commissioners in the Treasury. The Parliament adjourned, not well satisfied with affairs. The business of the East India Company, which they would have reformed, let fall. The Duke of Norfolk (37) does not succeed in his endeavor to be divorced.

Around 28 Feb 1692 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (37) failed in his attempt to divorce his wife [his wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk 1659-1705 (33) for her adultery with John Germain Baronet Germain 1650-1718 (41).

John Evelyn's Diary 1693 January. Jan 1693. Contest in Parliament about a self-denying Act, that no Parliament man should have any office; it wanted only two or three voices to have been carried. The Duke of Norfolk's (37) bill for a divorce thrown out, he having managed it very indiscreetly. The quarrel between Admiral Russell (40) and Lord Nottingham (45) yet undetermined.

John Evelyn's Diary 1694 March. 30 Mar 1694. I went to the Duke of Norfolk (39), to desire him to make cousin Evelyn of Nutfield (52) one of the Deputy-Lieutenants of Surrey, and entreat him to dismiss my brother (76), now unable to serve by reason of age and infirmity. The Duke (39) granted the one, but would not suffer my brother (76) to resign his commission, desiring he should keep the honor of it during his life, though he could not act. He professed great kindness to our family.

John Evelyn's Diary 1697 February. 06 Dec 1697. I went to Kensington with the Sheriff, Knights, and chief gentlemen of Surrey, to present their address to the King (47). The Duke of Norfolk (42) promised to introduce it, but came so late, that it was presented before be came. This insignificant ceremony was brought in in Cromwell's time, and has ever since continued with offers of life and fortune to whoever happened to have the power. I dined at Sir Richard Onslow's (43), who treated almost all the gentlemen of Surrey. When we had half dined, the Duke of Norfolk (42) came in to make his excuse.

John Evelyn's Diary 1700. Apr 1700. The Duke of Norfolk (45) now succeeded in obtaining a divorce from his [his wife] wife (41) by the Parliament for adultery with Sir John Germaine (49), a Dutch gamester, of mean extraction, who had got much by gaming; the Duke (45) had leave to marry again, so that if he should have children, the Dukedom will go from the late Lord Thomas's children, Papists indeed, but very hopeful and virtuous gentlemen, as was their father. The now Duke (45) their uncle is a Protestant.
The Parliament nominated fourteen persons to go into Ireland as commissioners to dispose of the forfeited estates there, toward payment of the debts incurred by the late war, but which the King (49) had in great measure given to some of his favorites of both sexes, Dutch and others of little merit, and very unseasonably. That this might be done without suspicion of interest in the Parliament, it was ordered that no member of either House should be in the commission. The great contest between the Lords and Commons concerning the Lords' power of amendments and rejecting bills tacked to the money bill, carried for the Commons. However, this tacking of bills is a novel practice, suffered by King Charles II., who, being continually in want of money, let anything pass rather than not have wherewith to feed his extravagance. This was carried but by one voice in the Lords, all the Bishops following the Court, save one; so that near sixty bills passed, to the great triumph of the Commons and Country party, but high regret of the Court, and those to whom the King had given large estates in Ireland. Pity it is, that things should be brought to this extremity, the government of this nation being so equally poised between King and subject; but we are satisfied with nothing; and, while there is no perfection on this side heaven, methinks both might be contented without straining things too far. Among the rest, there passed a law as to Papists' estates, that if one turned not Protestant before eighteen years of age, it should pass to his next Protestant heir. This indeed seemed a hard law, but not only the usage of the French King to his Protestant subjects, but the indiscreet insolence of the Papists here, going in triumphant and public processions with their Bishops, with banners and trumpets in divers places (as is said) in the northern counties, has brought it on their party.

On 11 Apr 1700 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (45) and [his wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk 1659-1705 (41) were divorced due to her aldulterous relationship with John Germain Baronet Germain 1650-1718 (49) who she married a year later.

On 02 Apr 1701 Henry Howard 7th Duke Norfolk 1655-1701 (46) died of apoplexy. He was buried in the Fitzalan Chapel, Arundel Castle, Arundel. His nephew Thomas Howard 8th Duke Norfolk 1683-1732 (17) succeeded 8th Duke Norfolk (3C 1483), 26th Earl Arundel (Sussex), 9th Earl Surrey (3C 1483), 6th Earl Norfolk (5C 1644), 3rd Earl Norwich (3C 1672), 19th Baron Mowbray (1C 1283), 23rd Baron Segrave (2C 1295), 17th Baron Furnivall (1C 1295), 21st Baron Strange Blackmere (1C 1309), 16th Baron Maltravers (1C 1330), 18th Baron Talbot (1C 1331), 16th Baron Arundel (1C 1377), 3rd Baron Howard of Castle Rising.

John Evelyn's Diary 1701. 04 Apr 1701. The Duke of Norfolk died of an apoplexy, and Mr. Thomas Howard of complicated disease since his being cut for the stone; he was one of the Tellers of the Exchequer. Mr. How (52) made a Baron.