John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk

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John Howard (mid-1420s–1485) was the son of Sir Robert Howard (?1385-1436) and Margaret Mowbray (?1391-1459), the eldest daughter of Thomas Mowbray (1356-1399) and Elizabeth FitzAlan (1366-1425). He was created 1st Duke of Norfolk (of the 3rd creation) in 1483. The title had become extinct, firstly upon the death of John de Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk (1444–1476), who had been 4th Duke of Norfolk (of the 1st creation) from 1461 until 1476, and again upon the death in 1483 of Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, who had been created Duke of Norfolk after marrying the daughter of the late Norfolk.

John Howard was known as "Jack (or "Jock," hence: "Jockey") of Norfolk". He had the support of Edward IV of England who made him Constable of Norwich Castle, Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, Treasurer of the Royal Household. For his support of Richard III during the desposition of Edward V in 1483, he was created Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, and Lord Admiral of all England, Ireland, and Aquitaine.

He was married first to Katherine Moleyns (1424-1465), the daughter of William de Moleyns and Margery Whalesborough; and then to Margaret Chedworth (1436-1494), the daughter of Sir John Chedworth and Margaret Bowett. Ms. Bowett's maiden name is sometimes thought to have been Wyfold, but this is an error of confusion since it was her daughter, Margaret Chedworth, who had originally married Nicholas Wyfold (1420-1456), the Lord Mayor of London, in 1455. Ms. Bowett's parents were Nicholas Bowett of Rippingale, Lincolnshire, England and Elizabeth La Zouche of Harringworth, Northampton, England.

He died on August 22, 1485 in the Battle of Bosworth Field. The night before, someone had left him a note warning him that King Richard III, his "master," was going to be double-crossed (which he was):

“Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,

For Dickon, thy master, is bought and sold.”

He was buried in Thetford Priory, but his body seems to have been moved at the Reformation, possibly to the tomb of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk at Framlingham Church. The monumental brass of his first wife Katherine Moleyns can, however, still be seen in Suffolk.

He was the great-grandfather of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the second and fifth Queen consorts, respectively, of Henry VIII of England.

Preceded by The Duke of Gloucester	Lord High Admiral 1483–1485	Succeeded by The Earl of Oxford
Preceded by The Duke of York	Earl Marshal 1483–1485	Succeeded by The Earl of Nottingham
Preceded by New Creation	Duke of Norfolk 1483–1485	Succeeded by Thomas Howard
Preceded by John Mowbray	Baron Mowbray