Philip Howard was the eldest son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk.
He was baptised at Whitehall Palace with the Royal Family
in attendance, and was named after his godfather, King Philip of Spain. At the age of
fourteen, he was married to his stepsister, Anne Dacre. After years of
estrangement, they were reunited and built a very strong marriage.
In 1569, on 1 October, Philip
Howard's father, Thomas Howard, was arrested for his intrigues against Queen El;izabeth I. His father wasattainted
and executed in 1572, which prevented Philip inheriting the Dukedom. However through his mother’s lineage he was made
Earl of Arundel
in 1580.
Most of the Howard family remained Catholics during the reign of Elizabeth I, when it
was very dangerous to do so. Caught trying to leave England and due to his
being second cousin to the Queen Philip was committed to the tower of London in
April 1585. While charges of high Treason were never proved, he spent
ten years in the Tower, until his death of dysentry. Philip Howard petitioned the Queen as he lay dying
to allow him to see his wife and his son but the Queen responded that "If he will but once attend the
Protestant Service, he shall not only see his wife and children, but be
restored to his honors and estates with every mark of my royal favor."
To this, Saint Philip replied, "Tell
Her Majesty if my religion be the cause for which I suffer, sorry I am that I
have but one life to lose.". He
died alone in the Tower and was immediately acclaimed as a Catholic Martyr.
His tomb is in Arundel Cathedral having been moved from St Peter ad
Vincula (in the Tower) with permission
of James I
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