Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk

A portrait of Howard in later life
by James Lonsdale from the collection of the Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery.

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk (15 March 1746 – 16 December 1815), styled Earl of Surrey from 1777 to 1786, was a British peer, the son of Charles Howard, 10th Duke of Norfolk and Catherine Brockholes.

He was known for actively participating in the Tory party as part of the support to King George III. Surrey succeeded to the title of 11th Duke of Norfolk in 1786 upon the death of his father. He spent a considerable amount of his money rebuilding and refurbishing Arundel Castle after inheriting his title and lands.

He married, firstly, Marion Coppinger (daughter of John Coppinger), on 1 August 1767, who died a year later giving birth. He married, secondly, Frances Scudamore (1750–1820), the only child of Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore and his wife Frances, formerly Duchess of Beaufort, on 6 April 1771 at London, England. Frances soon became insane after her marriage and was locked away until her death in 1820. Howard then lived with several mistresses. His longtime mistress, Mary Ann Gibbon (a cousin of Edward Gibbon), was reputed to be his secret third wife and she had five children by him, including two sons who were officers of arms, Matthew Howard-Gibbon, and Edward Howard-Gibbon. An older illegitimate son by a previous mistress, Sir William Woods, later became Garter King of Arms.

Norfolk renounced his Catholicism to start his political life, but remained a staunch supporter of Catholic Emancipation, as well as opposing the war with the American colonies.^[1] He sat in Parliament from 1780–84, became a lord of the treasury in the Portland cabinet in 1783, and was dismissed in 1798 from the lord lieutenancy of the West Riding for toasting the "sovereign English people" in terms displeasing to the Crown. He was noted for his convivial habits and his dislike of soap and water.^[2]

Norfolk was a good friend of Sir Bysshe Shelley, allowing him in 1786 to make out the patent for his baronetcy.^[1] Shelley was influenced by Norfolk and built the flamboyant Castle Goring, one side of which was a partial copy of Norfolk's residence of Arundel Castle.^[1]

Norfolk died on 16 December 1815 at age 69, without issue from either of his two legal marriages. Upon his death, his lands and titles passed to his cousin, Bernard.

See also

• Dukes of Norfolk family tree

Notes

References

•  "Howard, Charles (1746-1815)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 

External links

Media related to Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk at Wikimedia Commons