The Lord Thomas Howard was a son of the fourth Duke of Norfolk. His
lordship was a distinguished commander in the memorable engagement
between the English fleet and the Spanish Armada, in 1588.
In 1591 he had command of a squadron of ships sent out to attack the
Spanish Plate fleet, homeward bound from America, and distinguished
himself, with Sir Thomas Vasseur, in capturing a part of this fleet.
He was, in 1596, in the fleet commanded by Charles Howard, Lord High
Admiral of England. This Thomas Howard led the third squadron, and it
was this fleet which took the town of Cadiz. The same year, on his
return, he was summoned to Parliament by the title of Lord Howard of
Walden.
The next year, to divert the Spaniard from a descent on Ireland, the
Queen sent out a fleet of one hundred and twenty, divided into three
squadrons, commanded by the Earl of Essex, Lord Thomas Howard, and Sir
Walter Raleigh. On his return to England, he was installed one of the
Knights of the Garter, May 24, 1597.
In 1601, he was one of the commanders of the forces to whom the Earl of
Essex surrendered, and on the 19th February following he was one of the
peers that sat on his trial, being then constable of the Tower. Meeting
King James I. at Theobalds, in May, 1603, he was sworn of the Privy
Council, and July 21st following was advanced to the Earldom of Suffolk.
He was also made a Commissioner for making Knights of the Bath, also for
executing the office of Earl Marshal of England. In 1605, being Lord
Chamberlain together with the Lord Mounteagle, the Gunpowder Plot was
discovered. He was elected Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in
1613, and July 11, 1614, was constituted Lord High Treasurer of England.
The earl died in London, May 28, 1626.