Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 4th duke

Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 4th duke of

(born March 10, 1538, Kenninghall, Norfolk, Eng.—died June 2, 1572, London) English noble executed for his intrigues against Queen Elizabeth I. He was the grandson of the 3rd duke of Norfolk, whom he succeeded as duke in 1554. In favour with both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, Norfolk commanded the English forces that invaded Scotland in 1559–60. He led the commission to resolve problems between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Scotland's Protestant nobility (1568). He became involved in a plan to free Mary from imprisonment by marrying her and was arrested after a failed revolt by Catholic nobles (1569). Released in 1570, Norfolk was drawn into another plot to install Mary on the English throne through a Spanish invasion of England; discovery of the plot led to his arrest and execution.