Biography of Captain Thomas Howard 1631-1678

In or before 1629 [his father] William Howard (age 25) and [his mother] Mary Eure (age 26) were married.

Around 1631 Captain Thomas Howard was born to William Howard (age 28) and Mary Eure (age 28).

On 08 Jan 1634 Charles Herbert (age 15) and [his future wife] Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 12) were married. The marriage was short-lived with his dying a year later. She re-married in Aug 1637 to James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 21). She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 31). He the son of Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 49) and Susan Vere Countess Montgomery.

On 03 Aug 1637 James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 25) and [his future wife] Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 15) were married. She by marriage Duchess Lennox. She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham (age 35). He the son of Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox and Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox (age 45).

On 28 Jan 1643 [his father] William Howard (age 40) died.

In Nov 1664 Captain Thomas Howard (age 33) and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 42) were married. She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham.

On 04 Jul 1668 [his step-daughter] Mary Stewart Countess Arran (age 16) died. Her third cousin Charles (age 29) succeeded 6th Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold in Huntingdonshire.

In Jul 1678 Captain Thomas Howard (age 47) died.

In Nov 1685 [his former wife] Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 63) died.

Grammont. Thomas Howard, brother to the Earl of Carlisle, was one of them: there was not a braver, nor a more genteel man, in England; and though he was of a modest demeanour, and his manners appeared gentle and pacific, no person was more spirited, nor more passionate. Lady Shrewsbury, inconsiderately returning the first ogles of the invincible Jermyn, did not at all make herself more agreeable to Howard: that, however, she paid little attention to; yet, as she designed to keep fair with him, she consented to accept an entertainment which he had often proposed, and which she durst no longer refuse. A place of amusement, called Spring Garden, was fixed upon for the scene of this entertainment.

Grammont. As soon as the party was settled, Jermyn was privately informed of it. Howard had a company in the regiment of guards, and one of the soldiers of his company played pretty well on the bagpipes: this soldier was therefore at the entertainment. Jermyn was at the garden, as by chance; and, puffed up with his former successes, he trusted to his victorious air for accomplishing this last enterprise: he no sooner appeared on the walks, than her ladyship shewed herself upon the balcony.

Grammont. Jermyn, without paying the least attention to his ill-humour, pursued his point, continued talking to Lady Shrewsbury, and did not leave her until the repast was ended.

He went to bed, proud of this triumph, and was waked next morning by a challenge: he took, for his second, Giles Rawlings, a man of intrigue, and a deep player. Howard took Dillon, who was dexterous and brave, much of a gentleman, and, unfortunately, an intimate friend to Rawlings.

In this duel fortune did not side with the votaries of love: poor Rawlings was left stone dead; and Jermyn, having received three wounds, was carried to his uncle's, with very little signs of life.

While the report of this event engaged the courtiers according to their several interests, the Chevalier de Grammont was informed by Jones, his friend, his confidant, and his rival, that there was another gentleman very attentive to Mrs. Middleton. This was Montagu, no very dangerous rival on account of his person, but very much to be feared for his assiduity, the acuteness of his wit, and for some other talents, which are of importance, when a man is once permitted to display them.

Grammont. I know not how she stood affected to her hero: but Howard did not fancy him much; this did not prevent his coming up stairs, upon the first sign she made to him; and not content with acting the petty tyrant, at an entertainment not made for himself, no sooner had he gained the soft looks of the fair one, than he exhausted all his common place, and all his stock of low irony, in railing at the entertainment, and ridiculing the music.

Howard possessed but little raillery, and still less patience: three times was the banquet on the point of being stained with blood; but three times did he suppress his natural impetuosity, in order to satisfy his resentment elsewhere with greater freedom.