Sunday, July 14, 2019

Question from Martin - Attainder of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk

Was Thomas Howard 1st Earl of Suffolk the only child of 4th Duke of Norfolk's to be 'attained' when his father was executed in 1572? I could not find evidence on the internet that any of his siblings or half-siblings were 'attained' at this time, and I was wondering why that should be the case. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. "Thomas Howard Suffolk, 1st earl of, 15611626, English nobleman; son of the 4th duke of Norfolk. He was attainted at the time of his father's execution (1572), but his rights were restored in 1584. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/british-and-irish-history-biographies/thomas-howard-1st-earl-suffolk

2 comments:

PhD Historian said...

Thomas Howard (Aug 1561 - May 1626), later created 1st Earl of Suffolk by James VI&I in 1603, was a mere 8.5 years old at the time of his father's attainder in January 1572 and thus too young to have been attainted himself. The Columbia Encyclopedia in which you found that information has likely confused "corruption of blood" with actual "attainder." Young Thomas was "corrupt of blood" in the wake of his father's attainder, as were all of his siblings, male and female. But he was not himself attainted since he was not indicted and did not himself stand trial and receive a conviction.

melsant said...

thanks so much for your help! Interesting to find that the Columbia Encyclopedia is not infallible!