Miles Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk

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17th Duke of Norfolk
Born July 21, 1915(1915-07-21)
Died June 24, 2002 (aged 86)
Predecessor Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk
Successor Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk
Spouse Anne Mary Teresa Constable-Maxwell

Major-General Miles Francis Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk, KG, GCVO, CB, CBE, MC DL (July 21, 1915June 24, 2002), was the eldest son of Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, 3rd Baron Howard of Glossop and his wife Mona Stapleton, 11th Baroness Beaumont.

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[edit] Military career

Miles Fitzalan-Howard was educated at Ampleforth College and Christ Church, Oxford and served in the Grenadier Guards of the British Army for 30 years, including, during the Second World War, in France, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and North Western Europe. He rose to the rank of Major-General.

During the war he was awarded the Military Cross for reconnaissance of mined roads. He was at the time on foot and under enemy fire. He was quoted in his obituary in The Times as saying "anyone can be the Duke of Norfolk, but I'm rather proud of that medal."

He headed the British mission to Russian forces in Germany between 1957 and 1959. Immediately before Kenyan independence in 1963 he commanded a Brigade of the King's African Rifles. Between 1963 and 1965 he was General Officer Commanding the First Division of the Rhine Army. Upon his retirement from the Army he served in the Ministry of Defence.[citation needed]

[edit] Peerages

[edit] Baronies of Beaumont & Glossop

The Duke inherited the Barony of Beaumont from his mother, the 11th Baroness, in 1971, and the Barony Howard of Glossop from his father, the 3rd Baron, in 1972.

[edit] Dukedom of Norfolk

He inherited the Dukedom of Norfolk from his second cousin once removed in 1975 and added his mother's maiden name of Stapleton before his own that year. He also inherited the Great Office of Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, which is attached to the Dukedom of Norfolk, thereby becoming responsible for State occasions. He also became by virtue of this office the hereditary judge in the Court of Chivalry and head of the College of Arms, responsible for heraldry in England and Wales as well as other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations such as Australia.

The Dukes of Norfolk have remained Roman Catholics for over 300 years (see recusancy). The Duke, as senior Roman Catholic peer of the United Kingdom, represented The Queen at the installation of Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II and at the funeral of Pope John Paul I.

[edit] Personal life

One of 8 children (all of whose first names started with the letter "M") The Duke married Anne Mary Teresa Constable-Maxwell in 1949. They had 2 sons and 3 daughters:

[edit] Titles & Honours

[edit] Titles from birth

  • The Honourable Miles Fitzalan-Howard (1915–1971)
  • The Rt. Hon. Miles Fitzalan-Howard, 12th Baron Beaumont (1971–1972)
  • The Rt. Hon. Miles Fitzalan-Howard, 12th Baron Beaumont, 4th Baron Howard of Glossop (1972–1975)
  • His Grace The Most Noble Miles Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk (1975–2002)

[edit] Honours

[edit] See also

Political offices
Preceded by
The Duke of Norfolk
Earl Marshal
1975 – 2002
Succeeded by
The Duke of Norfolk
Peerage of England
Preceded by
Mona Fitzalan-Howard
Baron Beaumont
1971 – 2002
Succeeded by
Edward Fitzalan-Howard
Preceded by
Bernard Fitzalan-Howard
Baron Howard of Glossop
1972 – 2002
Preceded by
Bernard Fitzalan-Howard (different from the above)
Duke of Norfolk
1975 – 2002