On 21 May 1524, Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, died at Framlingham Castle, Suffolk. An English nobleman who served four monarchs, Norfolk was an active political figure during the reigns of Richard III, Henry VII and Henry VIII and led the English army that crushed the Scots at the Battle of Flodden. One of his final duties was as Lord Steward at the trial of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Norfolk withdrew from public life the year after Buckingham’s execution. 

Framlingham Castle © The Tudor Travel Guide

Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Norfolk was buried in the chancel of Thetford Priory, with his tomb occupying the prime location in front of the high altar. In 1539, during the dissolution of the monasteries, Norfolk’s son, another Thomas Howard, now the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, petitioned Henry VIII in an attempt to save the priory church at Thetford - without success. On 16 February 1540 the prior and monks surrendered, making Thetford one of the last religious houses to be dissolved.

Thetford Priory © Kirsten Claiden-Yardley

The 3rd Duke of Norfolk established a new family mausoleum at the Church of St Michael the Archangel in Framlingham, where, ultimately, he was buried, along with Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and his wife, Mary Howard. There is also a tomb commemorating Mary FitzAlan and Margaret Audley, the wives of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk.

Detail of effigy of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk © Kirsten Claiden-Yardley

In Issue 9, Dr Kirsten Claiden-Yardley examines the Norfolk tombs in the Church of St Michael the Archangel at Framlingham.

A Trip to Tudor Suffolk

Interested in exploring these historic sites? Framlingham Castle, the Church of St Michael the Archangel and Thetford Priory feature in a fabulous itinerary of Tudor Suffolk by Sarah Morris, The Tudor Travel Guide, in Issue 1.