Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham

Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham (1536-December 14,1624) was a British statesman and admiral.

Related Topics:
1536 - December 14 - 1624

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He was son of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c. 1510 - 1573) and Margaret Gamage (d. May 18, 1531), daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage. He was a grandson of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk.

Related Topics:
William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham - 1510 - 1573 - May 18 - 1531 - Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk

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He succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham in 1573 and was created Earl of Nottingham on October 22,1596.

Related Topics:
1573 - October 22 - 1596

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Howard served at sea under his father's command as a youth. He was the cousin of Elizabeth I and held several prominent posts during her reign. He served as Ambassador to France in 1559. He represented Surrey in Parliament in 1562. He served as General of the Horse in 1569 and suppressed a Catholic rebellion in northern England. He commanded a squadron of ships escorting the Queen of Spain on a state visit in 1570. He was named as Commissioner at the trial of Queen Mary in 1586 and subsequently recommended her execution.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth I - Ambassador - France - Surrey - Parliament - Spain - Mary

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Howard was knighted in 1572 and became Lord Howard of Effingham following his father's death in 1573.

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Effingham was named Lord High Admiral in 1585. In 1587, he was named as commander-in-chief of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada although he did not directly take charge of the fighting. Effingham ordered an indirect strategy of harassing the Spanish fleet rather than attacking them directly. While controversial, the strategy succeeded. In 1596, when another Spanish invasion was feared, Effingham was again appointed to defend England. Effingham and the Earl of Essex jointly led an attack against the Spanish base at Cadiz on June 20.

Related Topics:
Lord High Admiral - Spanish Armada - Earl of Essex - Cadiz

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Effingham was created Earl of Nottingham in 1596 and was appointed Lord Lieutenant General of England. When Essex rebelled in 1601, Effingham defeated him in the field and served as commissioner at his subsequent trial.

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Effingham was at Elizabeth's deathbed in 1603 when she named James as her successor. Under James, he served on the commission of union between England and Scotland and served as commissioner at the Gunpowder Plot trial in 1605.

Related Topics:
James - Scotland - Gunpowder Plot

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Effingham died in 1624 at the age of 88.

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None of his three sons left heirs, and shortly after the last died the Nottingham earldom was recreated for a close relative of the Earl of Winchilsea; the Howard of Effingham barony passed to descendants of his brother, the Earl of Effingham being the modern heir.

Related Topics:
Earl of Winchilsea - Earl of Effingham

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