On 19th January 1547, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, the famous Tudor poet, courtier and soldier, was executed. This son of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, and cousin of Queens Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, was beheaded on Tower Hill and his remains laid to rest at All Hallows-by-the-Tower (All Hallows Barking). His remains were moved by his son, Henry, Earl of Northampton, in 1614 to their present resting place in a tomb in the family church, St Michael’s at Framlingham. Above is a photograph of his tomb, isn’t it beautiful?
You can read all about Surrey’s fall in my previous article 19 January 1547 – Execution of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.
Trivia: Surrey is best known for his poetry and is referred to as the “Father of the English Sonnet”.
If you want to know more about Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, I can recommend the following two books:
- Henry VIII’s Last Victim: The Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey by Jessie Childs
- Two Gentleman Poets at the Court of Henry VIII: George Boleyn and Henry Howard by Edmond Bapst
