Philip Howard
Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, was an English nobleman and martyr canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970. He is remembered for his steadfast adherence to Catholicism during a time of religious persecution in England under Queen Elizabeth I, which led to his imprisonment and death.
- Feast Day
- October 4
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›Philip Howard was born in London in 1557, the son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk.
- ›He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, and later attended Queen Elizabeth I's court.
- ›Howard secretly returned to the Catholic Church in 1584 and was arrested in 1585.
- ›He was charged with being a Catholic, quitting England without leave, and sharing in Jesuit plots.
- ›Howard spent over ten years imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he died in 1595 from dysentery.
- ›He was canonised as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales in 1970.
13th Earl of Arundel, Earl of Surrey (courtesy title)
Dog, Statue At Arundel Cathedral
About Philip Howard
Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel
Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (1557–1595), was an English nobleman and a Catholic martyr. He lived primarily during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a period marked by significant religious tension and persecution of Catholics in England.
Life and Historical Context
Born into the prominent Howard family, Philip Howard inherited the courtesy title Earl of Surrey. Despite a Protestant education, his family had strong Catholic ties, and his father, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was executed for treason related to Catholic plots. After his father's death, Philip lived with his uncle and eventually inherited the earldom of Arundel from his maternal grandfather. He was married to Anne Dacre.
Howard's life took a spiritual turn after attending a debate between Catholic priests and Protestant theologians in the Tower of London in 1581. He was secretly received back into the Catholic Church in 1584. He attempted to flee England to live openly as a Catholic but was betrayed and arrested in 1585, leading to his imprisonment in the Tower of London.
Imprisonment and Death
During his ten years of imprisonment, Howard was charged with being a Catholic, treasonous plots, and defying royal decrees. He was fined and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite offers of freedom contingent on renouncing his faith, Howard remained steadfast. He died in the Tower of London on October 19, 1595, from dysentery, never having seen his wife or son after his imprisonment. His death was attributed to his suffering for his faith.
Legacy and Veneration
Philip Howard was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His writings, including poetry and devotional literature, were smuggled out of prison and published posthumously. He is remembered for his patience, faith, and courage in the face of extreme adversity. Arundel Cathedral is dedicated to him and Our Lady of the Assumption, and his shrine is a place of pilgrimage.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel?
Philip Howard was an English nobleman who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He is known for his conversion back to Catholicism and his subsequent imprisonment and death for his faith.
Why was Philip Howard imprisoned?
Howard was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1585 on charges of being a Roman Catholic, quitting England without leave, and sharing in Jesuit plots. He was also accused of claiming the title Duke of Norfolk in defiance of his father's attainder.
How long did Philip Howard spend in the Tower of London?
Philip Howard spent over ten years imprisoned in the Tower of London. He died there in 1595 from dysentery.
When was Philip Howard canonized?
Philip Howard was canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
What is Philip Howard remembered for?
He is remembered for his deep Catholic faith, his patience and devotion during his long imprisonment, and his eventual martyrdom for his beliefs.
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