Execution of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey: Henry VIII’s Last Victim

Henry was raised with Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy. They were very close friends until FitzRoy’s death in 1536. He was a very able soldier and very much like his father in terms of wanting power. It was that want for power, and the arrogance that came with being a member of the House of Howard, that led to his downfall.

As the eldest son of Thomas Howard and Elizabeth Stafford, Henry had a direct claim to the throne. He was descended from two kings, Edward I and Edward III. This could have been a danger for Henry VIII, but that was not the reason for his execution. Henry VIII was worried about his son losing the throne instead. He was convinced Henry Howard wanted to become king after his death and made sure it could happen.

Like his father, Henry was a very capable soldier and started with a successful career. However, he was known for making rash decisions, which led to stints in prison. Some of the bad decisions included striking a fellow courtier and breaking windows during the night. Arguably, the only reason he became the Earl of Surrey was because of the death of his grandfather and the title of Duke of Norfolk passed to his father.

He was known for more than his fighting capabilities, though. He was a successful poet and worked with Thomas Wyatt on various occasions. One of his biggest accomplishments was a sonnet that Shakespeare later used. He was known as one of the Fathers of English Sonnets with Wyatt.

He was found guilty on January 13, 1547 and executed six days later. His father was also arrested and convicted of treason. However, Thomas Howard was left imprisoned until Mary I’s ascension to the throne because Henry VIII died before his execution could be carried out. Upon Henry Howard’s death, his son became the Duke of Norfolk. Henry VIII’s death on January 28 made Henry Howard his last victim.

Henry Howard was buried at All-Hallows-by-the-Tower until 1614. Henry’s son, Henry, Earl of Northampton, moved the body to an elaborate tomb at St. Michael’s Church, which was the family’s tomb.