born Feb. 25, 1540, Shottesham, Norfolk, Eng.
died June 15, 1614, London
English noble noted for his intrigues in the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I .
Younger brother of the 4th duke of Norfolk , he was implicated in efforts to free Mary, Queen of Scots . He successfully sought favour with the Scottish king James VI, who, on his accession as James I of England, made Howard a privy councillor (1603) and earl of Northampton (1604). As a judge at the trials of Walter Raleigh (1603) and Guy Fawkes (1605), he pressed for conviction.