Background
Howard was born in Saffron Walden, Essex, the second son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk and his wife Catherine Knyvet.
Howard was born in Saffron Walden, Essex, the second son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk and his wife Catherine Knyvet.
He was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
He was created Earl of Berkshire in 1625. He was knighted in 1604. He was elected Member of Parliament for Wiltshire in 1614.
In 1621 he was elected Member of Parliament for Cricklade.
In 1621 he was created Baron Howard of Charlton, Wiltshire and in 1625 he was created Earl of Berkshire. Howard married Elizabeth Cecil, daughter and co-heir of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter in 1614.
They had thirteen children:
Charles Howard, 2nd Earl of Berkshire (1615–1679). Mary Howard (1616–1679)
Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Berkshire (1619–1706).
Henry Howard (playwright)
William Howard
Sir Robert Howard (1626–1698)
Elizabeth Howard, married John Dryden
Colonel Philip Howard (1629–1717)
Frances Howard, who married Conyers Darcy, 2nd Earl of Holderness
James Howard
Algernon Howard
Edward Howard
Diana Howard (1636–1713).
Addled Parliament]
In 1605 he was elected Member of Parliament for Lancaster in a by-election.