Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 3rd duke

Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of

(born 1473—died Aug. 25, 1554, Kenninghall, Norfolk, Eng.) English noble prominent in the reign of Henry VIII. Son of the 2nd duke of Norfolk, he was made lord high admiral in 1513 and helped rout the Scots at the Battle of Flodden. Succeeding his father as duke (1524), he led the faction opposed to Cardinal Wolsey, whom he replaced as president of the royal council in 1529. He supported the marriage of his niece Anne Boleyn to Henry (1533), but later (as lord high steward) he presided over her trial (1536). He skillfully suppressed the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion and by 1540 was the most powerful of Henry's councillors. His position weakened after his niece Catherine Howard was put to death (1542) and his son Henry Howard (1517–47) was executed for treason. Imprisoned as an accessory to his son, he was released by Queen Mary in 1553.