John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk (1425-22 August 1485) was a prominent Yorkist commander during the Wars of the Roses.
Biography[]
John Howard was born to the Howard family of minor nobles, and he was elected to Parliament in 1449. He was a staunch adherent of the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses, and he became Constable of Norwich and Colchester Castles after being knighted for his service at the 1461 Battle of Towton. In 1461, he became High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and he campaigned against the Lancastrians from 1462 to 1464. He supported Richard III of England's usurpation of the throne from King Edward V of England, and he became Lord High Steward. He was also created Earl Marshal and Lord Admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine. In 1485, Howard and King Richard were both slain at the Battle of Bosworth Field, with Howard taking an arrow to his unprotected face.