Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk 1536 – 1572

Biography

Thomas Howard was born on March 20, 1536, at Kenninghall, into one of England’s most prominent noble families. As the 4th Duke of Norfolk, he held considerable rank and influence throughout his life, navigating the complex political landscape of Tudor England with the responsibilities befitting his station.

His life ended tragically on June 12, 1572, when he was executed by decapitation at Tower Hill in London. This fatal conclusion marked the end of a nobleman whose position had placed him at the center of the era’s most significant events and tensions. Following his death, he was laid to rest in the Church of St Peter ad Vincula within Tower Hamlets, where many other notable figures of his time found their final resting place.

Thomas Howard’s life reflected the precarious nature of nobility during the sixteenth century, when political fortunes could shift swiftly and dramatically. Though his earthly journey was cut short, his legacy remained woven into the history of his time and family.