Background
Surrey succeeded to the title of 11th Duke of Norfolk in 1786 upon the death of his father. He married, firstly, Marion Coppinger (daughter of John Coppinger), on 1 August 1767, who died a year later giving birth.
Surrey succeeded to the title of 11th Duke of Norfolk in 1786 upon the death of his father. He married, firstly, Marion Coppinger (daughter of John Coppinger), on 1 August 1767, who died a year later giving birth.
He was known for actively participating in the Tory party as part of the support to King George III. He spent a considerable amount of his money rebuilding and refurbishing Arundel Castle after inheriting his title and lands. Howard then lived with several mistresses. His longtime mistress, Mary Ann Gibbon (a cousin of Edward Gibbon), was reputed to be his secret third wife and she had five children by him, including two sons who were officers of arms, Matthew Howard-Gibbon, and Edward Howard-Gibbon.
An older illegitimate son by a previous mistress, Sir William Woods, later became Garter King of Arms.
He sat in Parliament from 1780-1784, became a lord of the treasury in the Portland cabinet in 1783, and was dismissed in 1798 from the lord lieutenancy of the West Riding for toasting the "sovereign English people" in terms displeasing to the Crown. He was noted for his convivial habits and his dislike of soap and water.
Shelley was influenced by Norfolk and built the flamboyant Castle Goring, one side of which was a partial copy of Norfolk"s residence of Arundel Castle. Norfolk died on 16 December 1815 at age 69, without issue from either of his two legal marriages.
Royal Society.